US Navy Launches Next-Generation Tactical Satellite

MUOS-2 Satellite Launch
The US Navy’s second Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-2) satellite launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on July 19, 2013. (Image credit: United Launch Alliance)

The United States Navy successfully launched a huge communications satellite today (July 19), adding the second piece to a constellation that should provide a big boost to American troops.

The Mobile User Objective System-2 (MUOS-2) satellite blasted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT) today, riding to geostationay orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

The 7.5-ton MUOS-2 — the heaviest payload ever lofted by an Atlas 5 — will help relay communications to forces on the ground from its perch 22,236 miles (35,785 kilometers) above the equator.

The MUOS network will eventually field a total of five spacecraft, with four core satellites and one orbiting spare.

"The MUOS constellation will ultimately replace the current UHF SATCOM system, providing military users with 10 times more communications capacity over existing systems, including simultaneous voice (full-duplex) and data, leveraging 3G mobile communications technology," United Launch Alliance officials wrote in a preview of today's launch.

MUOS-1 launched in February 2012. MUOS-3 is tentatively slated to lift off next summer, with MUOS-4 likely following about 12 months after that.

Lockheed Martin won a $2.1 billion contract from the Navy to build MUOS-1, MUOS-2 and associated ground control architecture back in September 2004. The Navy later exercised an option to build three more MUOS spacecraft.

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Mike Wall
Senior Space Writer

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.