Names | WGS-4 WGS SV-4 Wideband Global SATCOM-4 |
---|---|
Mission type | Military communications |
Operator | United States Air Force / United States Space Force |
COSPAR ID | 2012-003A |
SATCAT no. | 38070 |
Website | https://www.spaceforce.mil/ |
Mission duration | 14 years (planned) 11 years, 10 months and 14 days (in progress) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | WGS-4 |
Spacecraft type | WGS Block II |
Bus | BSS-702HP |
Manufacturer | Boeing Satellite Systems |
Launch mass | 5,987 kg (13,199 lb) |
Dry mass | 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) |
Power | 11 kW |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 20 January 2012, 00:38:00 UTC |
Rocket | Delta IV M+ (5,4) (s/n D358) |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-37B |
Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
Longitude | 88.5° East (Indian Ocean) |
|
USA-233, or Wideband Global SATCOM 4 (WGS-4) is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM program, launched in 2012. The fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite, it is the first WGS Block II satellite to be launched. It is stationed at 88.5° East (Indian Ocean) in geostationary orbit. [1]
The Wideband Gapfiller SATCOM (WGS) system is a constellation of military communications satellites. [2] The WGS system is composed of three principal segments: Space Segment (satellites), Control Segment (operators) and Terminal Segment (users). Each WGS satellite provides service in multiple frequency bands, with the ability to cross-band between the two frequencies on board the satellite. [3]
In early 2001, a satellite communications industry team led by Boeing Satellite Systems was selected to develop the WGS system as successors to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) series of communications satellites. This satellite communications system provides communications for military users and augments the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) and Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) satellites already operating. [2] In March 2007, the acronym WGS was changed to Wideband Global SATCOM from Wideband Gapfiller Satellite. [2]
According to the United States Space Force Fact Sheet "Just one WGS satellite provides more SATCOM capacity than the entire legacy Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) constellation." [3]
Also, "As the backbone of the U.S. military's global satellite communications, Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite (WGS) system provides flexible, high-capacity communications for the Nation's soldiers through procurement and operation of the satellite constellation and the associated control systems. WGS provides worldwide flexible, high data rate and long haul communications for the Department of Defense (DOD), governmental organizations and international partners." [3]
WGS-4 can transmit data at approximately 3.6 gigabits per second. It can point 19 individual beams at different points on the Earth, operating at X-band and Ka-band frequencies. [4] Built by Boeing Satellite Systems around the BSS-702HP satellite bus, the 5,987 kg (13,199 lb) satellite is expected to operate for fourteen years. Propulsion is provided by a R-4D apogee motor, and four XIPS-25 ion thrusters for stationkeeping. [2] It is valued at US$464 million. [5]
The launch of WGS-4 took place at 00:38:00 UTC on 20 January 2012, using a Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) launch vehicle flying from Space Launch Complex 37B (SLC-37B) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). [5] The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance (ULA), and marked the eighteenth flight of the Delta IV. The launch vehicle successfully placed the satellite into a 440 by 66,870 km (270 by 41,550 mi) supersynchronous geostationary transfer orbit, with 24° of inclination. [4] Upon achieving orbit, WGS-4 was assigned its USA designation USA-233, and the International Designator 2012-003A. [6] The satellite used its onboard propulsion systems to inject itself into geosynchronous orbit.
Milstar is a constellation of military communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit, which are operated by the United States Space Force, and provide secure and jam-resistant worldwide communications to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces of the United States. Six spacecraft were launched between 1994 and 2003, of which only five were operational after launch; the third launch failed, both damaging the satellite and leaving it in an unusable orbit.
The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a United States Space Force narrowband military communications satellite system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of users in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. The system provides increased communications capabilities to newer, smaller terminals while still supporting interoperability with legacy terminals. MUOS is designed to support users who require greater mobility, higher bit rates and improved operational availability. The MUOS was declared fully operational for use in 2019.
United Launch Alliance, LLC, commonly referred to as ULA, is an American aerospace manufacturer, defense contractor and launch service provider that manufactures and operates a number of rocket vehicles that launch spacecraft into orbits around Earth and other bodies in the Solar System.
The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) is a United States Space Force satellite constellation that provides the United States with military communications to support globally distributed military users. Beginning in 2007, DSCS is being replaced by the Wideband Global SATCOM system. A total of 14 DSCS-III satellites were launched between the early 1980s and 2003. Two satellites were launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1985 during the STS-51-J flight. As of 14 September 2021, six DSCS-III satellites were still operational. DSCS operations are currently run by the 4th Space Operations Squadron out of Schriever Space Force Base.
The Wideband Global SATCOM system (WGS) is a high capacity United States Space Force satellite communications system planned for use in partnership by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) and the Australian Department of Defence. The system is composed of the Space Segment satellites, the Terminal Segment users and the Control Segment operators.
Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) is a constellation of communications satellites operated by the United States Space Force. They are used to relay secure communications for the United States Armed Forces, the British Armed Forces, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Netherlands Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force. The system consists of six satellites in geostationary orbits. The final satellite was launched on 26 March 2020. AEHF is backward compatible with, and replaces, the older Milstar system and will operate at 44 GHz uplink and 20 GHz downlink. The AEHF system is a joint service communications system that provides survivable, global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets.
USA-195, or Wideband Global SATCOM 1 (WGS-1) is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme. Launched in 2007, it was the first WGS satellite to reach orbit. It is stationed at a longitude of 174.8° East.
The Military Satellite Communications Directorate is a United States Space Force organization headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. It is one of several wings and other units that make up the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC).
USA-243, also known as WGS-5, is a United States military communications satellite. It was the fifth satellite to be launched as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM program and the second Block II satellite.
USA-204, or Wideband Global SATCOM 2 (WGS-2) is a United States military communications satellite which is operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme. Launched in 2009, it was the second WGS satellite to reach orbit, and operates in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 60° East.
USA 211, or Wideband Global SATCOM 3 is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme.
Launched in 2009, it was the third WGS satellite, and final Block I satellite, to reach orbit. It is stationed at:
USA 244, a.k.a Wideband Global SATCOM 6 is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme.
Launched Delta IV in 08.08.2013UT(Z) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), it was the sixth WGS satellite to reach orbit.
USA-263, or Wideband Global SATCOM 7 (WGS-7) is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme. Launched in 2015, it was the seventh WGS satellite to reach orbit. It is stationed at a longitude of 135° West, in geostationary orbit. WGS-7 was procured by the United States Air Force.
USA 272, or Wideband Global SATCOM 8 is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme. Launched Delta IV in 2016, it was the eighth WGS satellite to reach (target) orbit. It is stationed at a longitude of 135° West, 149°E i=0° in geostationary orbit. WGS F8 was procured by the United States Air Force.
USA 275, a.k.a. Wideband Global SATCOM 9 is a United States military communications satellite ... operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM Die Support Programm.
Launched Delta IV to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) in 2017, it was the ninth WGS satellite to reach orbit.
USA-291, or Wideband Global SATCOM 10 (WGS-10) is a United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme. Launched in 2019, it was the tenth WGS satellite to reach orbit. It is in geostationary orbit. WGS-10 was procured by the United States Air Force.
Wideband Global SATCOM 11+, is a United States military communications satellite to be operated by the United States Space Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM Program.
Scheduled for 2024, it is the eleventh WGS satellite and is expected to be in geostationary orbit. WGS 11+ was acquired by the United States Air Force.