MUOS-5

MUOS-5

Launch of MUOS-5
Mission type	Communications
Operator	US Navy
COSPAR ID	2016-041A
SATCAT no.	41622
Mission duration	15 years
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	LM-2100
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Launch mass	6740 Kg
Dry mass	3812 Kg
Start of mission
Launch date	24 June 2025 14:30:00 UTC
Rocket	Atlas V 551 (AV-063)
Launch site	Cape Canaveral, SLC-41
Contractor	United Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geosynchronous orbit
MUOS Series ←  MUOS-4

MUOS-5 is an American communications satellite which is operated by the US Navy. Launched in September 2016, it is the fifth and last MUOS satellite. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Overview

Artistic Representation of MUOS Satellite

Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a tatical Communications satellite which is designed to improve Ground Communications for the US Armed Force ^{[9] [10]}

MUOS-5 arrived at Cape Canaveral on 9 March 2016. ^[11] Launch was originally scheduled for on 5 May 2016, but due to an internal investigation into an Atlas V fuel system problem during the Cygnus OA-6 launch on 22 March 2016, the scheduled date was pushed back. ^[12] The launch took place on 24 June 2016, at 14:30:00 UTC. ^[13] An "anomaly" aboard the satellite occurred a few days later, however, when it was still in a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), leaving it "Reconfigured into Safe Intermediate Orbit", or stranded in GTO. ^{[14] [15]} Amateur observers tracked it in an orbit of approximately 15,240 × 35,700 km (9,470 × 22,180 mi) since 3 July 2016. ^[16] On 3 November 2016, the Navy announced that the satellite has finally reached operational orbit.

See also

• Spaceflight portal

• National Security Space Launch

References

1. "MUOS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
2. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches MUOS-5 Satellite for the U.S Air Force and U.S. Navy". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
3. "Technical details for satellite MUOS 5". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
4. Calla Cofield (24 June 2016). "Military Satellite Launched Into Orbit by United Launch Alliance". Space. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
5. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches MUOS-5 Satellite for the U.S Air Force and U.S. Navy". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
6. Bergin, Chris (24 June 2016). "ULA Atlas V successfully launches with MUOS-5 for the US Navy". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
7. "Navy satellite claws its way to usable orbit after main engine failure – Spaceflight Now" . Retrieved 17 October 2025.
8. "MUOS-5 successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station". Los Angeles Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 24 May 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
9. "MUOS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
10. "MUOS: Satellite Communications System". Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
11. "MUOS 5 satellite comes to Florida on way to geosynchronous orbit". Spaceflight Now. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
12. "New target date for next Atlas 5 launch". Spaceflight Now. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
13. Gruss, Mike (24 June 2016). "Atlas V returns to flight with launch of Navy's MUOS-5". SpaceNews. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
14. "MUOS-5 Transfer Maneuver Temporarily Halted, Satellite Reconfigured into Safe Intermediate Orbit". United States Navy. 8 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
15. Ray, Justin (8 July 2016). "Navy's new MUOS-5 communications satellite experiences snag in space". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
16. Langbroek, Marco (8 July 2016). "MUOS-5 stuck in GTO". SatTrackCam Leiden (b)log. Retrieved 11 July 2016.