WGS-12

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WGS 12
220201-X-VE588-0001.jpg
Artist’s rendering of WGS-12
NamesWGS SV-12
Wideband Global SATCOM-12
Mission type Military communications
Operator United States Air Force / United States Space Force
Mission duration14 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftWGS 12
Spacecraft type WGS Block II Follow-On
Bus BSS-702X
Manufacturer Boeing Satellite Systems
Launch mass5,987 kg (13,199 lb)
Dry mass3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
Power11 kW
Start of mission
Launch date2027 (planned) [1]
Rocket Falcon Heavy
Launch site Kennedy LC-39A
Contractor SpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit (planned)
Regime Geostationary orbit
←  WGS-11

Wideband Global SATCOM 12 (WGS 12) 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 launch in 2027 by a Falcon Heavy rocket into in geostationary orbit, it will be the Twelfth WGS satellite. WGS 12 was acquired by the United States Air Force. [2]

Contents

Overview

The WGS system is composed of three principal segments: the Space Segment (Satellite), the Control (TCT) Segment (operators), and the Terminal Segment (users). Each WGS satellite provides service in multiple frequency bands, with the ability to cross-band between the two frequencies on the satellite. WGS augments other satellites. [3]

In early 2001, a satellite communications industry team led by Hughes (Boeing Satellite Systems) was selected to develop the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite (WGS) system as a successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) series of communications satellites. This satellite communications system is intended to support ground forces. In March 2007, the acronym WGS changed to Wideband Global SATCOM. [2]

One WGS satellite provides more SATCOM capacity than the legacy Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) constellation. [3]

Satellite Description

In March 2018, U.S. Congress added US $605 million in funding for two more satellites, WGS 11 and WGS 12. This resulted in the order of WGS 11+ in April 2019 for a 2023 launch. This satellite will be based on the BSS-702X (X=experimental, for experiments, BSS702) variant of Boeing's commercial 702 satellite line, providing improved signal power and bandwidth efficiency compared to earlier WGS satellites. [2] The U.S. Space Force will launch the craft and will perform command & control functions during its 14-year life expectancy.

Built by Boeing Satellite Systems, WGS 11+ is based on the BSS-702X (HS376++) satellite bus. It has a mass at launch of 5,987 kg (13,199 lb) and is expected to operate for fourteen years. The spacecraft is equipped with two solar panels for generate power to its communications payload, which consists of cross-band military X-band, Ka-band transponders, + 10meters solar panels.Propulsion will be provided by an R-4D-15 apogee motor, with four XIPS-25 ion engines for station keeping. [2]

Launch

WGS 12 will launch in 2027 on a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle from Kennedy LC-39A.

References

  1. ↑ Hitchens, Theresa (3 October 2025). "Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "WGS 11,12". Gunter's Space Page. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Fact Sheets: Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite". United States Space Force. October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
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