The first of the Navy’s next generation of narrowband tactical satellites launched into space on Friday after poor weather forced a delay of more than a week.
The Mobile User Objective Satellite (MUOS) was carried into space aboard an Atlas V rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral shortly after 5 p.m. EST. United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Boeing [BA], executed the launch.
It was originally scheduled to lift off on Feb 16.
The MUOS program is intended to replace the Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system, boasting a 10 times greater communications capacity than its predecessor, said Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor.
The system is to provide mobile warfighters with point-to-point and netted communications services at enhanced data rates, the company said.
The second MUOS system is planned for launch in early 2013 with the following three systems, including a spare orbiter, to follow in each subsequent year. The constellation is set to become operational in 2015.
The satellites feature dual payloads that upgrade military users to the MUOS wideband code division multiple access system while enabling concurrent operations for existing legacy users, Lockheed Martin said. Boeing and General Dynamics [GD] are subcontractors on the program.