CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it has completed on-orbit testing of the first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)
satellite, designated MUOS-1, paving the way for the U.S. Navy's
multi-service operational test and evaluation phase in preparation for
the start of operations in August 2012.
"The successful on-orbit checkout of this revolutionary satellite is a
great testament to the close coordination and partnership between the
U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin team," said Mark Valerio,
vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Military Space
line of business. "This event is another major milestone in our
commitment to provide unparalleled communications capabilities that put
mission-critical, real-time information in the hands of our mobile
warfighters."
MUOS-1 was launched Feb. 24, 2012
aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Fla. A next-generation narrowband tactical satellite
communications system, MUOS will provide significantly improved and
secure communications for mobile warfighters, including simultaneous
voice, video and data.
"The team successfully completed this critical on-orbit test phase in
an effective and efficient manner to support our customer's program
schedule," said Mark Pasquale, who
oversaw the spacecraft test phase as Lockheed Martin vice president and
MUOS program manager. "The satellite is exceeding all performance
requirements as a result of the disciplined flight-like test program it
was subjected to in the factory prior to launch."
MUOS satellites are equipped with a wideband code division multiple
access (WCDMA) payload that provides a 16-fold increase in transmission
throughput over the current Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite system,
including global connectivity through the Defense Information Systems
Network and support services such as full two-way voice and data
transfers.
Lockheed Martin's MUOS operations team conducted the on-orbit
deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems over a three month
period, with both payloads passing a series of rigorous on-orbit tests
with existing UHF ground systems and new WCDMA test terminals.
A single MUOS satellite will provide four times the capacity of the
entire UFO constellation of 8 satellites. Each MUOS satellite also
includes a legacy UHF payload that is fully compatible with the current
UHF Follow-on system and legacy terminals. This dual-payload design
ensures a smooth transition to the cutting-edge WCDMA technology while
the UFO system is phased out.
The first MUOS satellite and associated ground system will provide
initial on-orbit capability this year, followed by the launch of the
second spacecraft in 2013. The five-satellite global constellation is
expected to achieve full operational capability in 2015, extending UHF
narrowband communications availability to the armed forces well past
2025.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator. The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.
