Saturday, July 20, 2013

Navy's second MUOS launched

MUOS launches atop Atlas V.
Navy photo courtesy NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The Navy's second Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite was launched Friday at 9 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 41. The launch of the satellite atop an Atlas V is a key step in providing enhanced satellite communications for the Navy and Department of Defense. MUOS is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to improve beyond-line-of-sight communications for U.S. forces. MUOS will provide military users 10 times more communications capacity over the existing system by leveraging 3G mobile technology, including simultaneous voice and data capability. (Source: NNS, 07/19/13) Work on the core propulsion system for the MUOS, an A2100 satellite-based spacecraft, is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous