A Delta IV rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Thursday at 8:07 p.m.
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Once it is in orbit, the satellite will become a part of the Wideband Global SATCOM network, or WGS.
Each WGS satellite provides more communications capacity than the entire constellation the system is gradually replacing, known as the Defense Satellite Communications System.
ULA’s next launch is the Atlas V MUOS-4 mission for the United States Navy, scheduled for August 31 from Space Launch Complex-41 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
At that altitude, satellites take 24 hours to complete one orbit and thus appear to hang stationary in the sky, greatly simplifying communications by allowing the use of fixed antennas on the ground.
The satellite has the unique ability to support war fighters while they are on the move, U.S. Air Force Captain Doug Downs said. “More and more, WGS is what puts it there”.
According to Boeing, the next three satellites will also incorporate its advanced digital payload design that doubles payload bandwidth and further boosts connectivity. This is ULA’s seventh launch in 2015 and the second successful ULA launch in just eight days.
Each Wideband Global Satcom spacecraft has 10 times the capability of the older satellites and, starting with WGS-7, an additional 17 percent improvement in bandwidth thanks to operational changes. The Delta IV Heavy rocket is uniquely qualified to provide the launch service for this vital science mission that will help us understand processes near the surface of the sun that affect space weather and radiation environments.
“Kudos to the Air Force and all of our mission partners on today’s successful launch and orbital delivery of the WGS-7 satellite”.
The reside broadcast will start at 7:47 p.m. EDT.
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The Aerojet Rocketdyne engines will power both the upper stage and booster, with the RS-68A of the booster that produces over 700,000 pounds of thrust at takeoff, while the RL 10B-2 engine will power the upper stage.
