Centennial-based United Launch Alliance is set to launch the U.S. Navy’s first next-generation narrowband tactical communications satellite.
The launch window opens at 3:46 p.m. MST Thursday at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Carrying the Mobile User Objective System-1 satellite aloft will be an Atlas V rocket.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, headquartered in south Jefferson County, is building a series of four MUOS satellites plus a spare for the Navy at its Sunnyvale, Calif., facility.
Military users will have 10 times the capacity as current systems once General Dynamics completes work this summer on a signal that will allow soldiers on the move to communicate with the satellite’s digital payload.
Once the digital system is activated, the satellite system will provide simultaneous voice, video and data communications beyond lines-of-sight and enhanced geolocation capabilities.
Mark Pasquale , Lockheed’s MUOS program manger, said the satellite system will function similar to a cellphone tower.
The first MUOS will carry both the digital and UHF technology used on current military satellites.
In 2004 , Lockheed won the initial $2.1 billion contract to build the first two MUOS satellites and the ground-control system. Since then, the Navy exercised a contract option to product three additional satellites.
The second MUOS satellite is undergoing environmental testing and is scheduled for launch in about a year.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
