Page 82 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

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AEHF-6 Satellite Ready for Launch

The sixth Lockheed Martin-built Cape Canaveral, Florida on a United
Advanced Extremely High Frequency Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket in an
(AEHF-6) protected communications Atlas V 551 configuration. AEHF-6 is
satellite is encapsulated in its protective part of the AEHF system - a resilient
fairings and mounted atop its rocket in satellite constellation providing
preparation for its planned March 26 global coverage and a sophisticated
launch. The AEHF-6 satellite will bring ground control system. Together the
additional capabilities and resilience to constellation provides survivable,
the constellation which already ensures protected communications capabilities
“always-on” communications and for national leaders and tactical
the ability to transmit data anywhere, warfighters operating across ground,
anytime. Once on orbit, AEHF-6 will sea and air platforms. The anti-jam
complete the constellation, as well as system also serves international allies
mark the first launch under U.S. Space to include Canada, the Netherlands,
Force control. AEHF-6 will launch from United Kingdom and now Australia.

Second GPS III Satellite Declared Ready for

Military Use

The U.S. Space Force’s Space and Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Lockheed
Missile Systems Center (SMC) Martin shipped the third GPS III
successfully transferred the second satellite “Columbus” to Cape Canaveral
GPS III system to Space Operations in February in anticipation of a launch
Command on March 23, the center aboard a Space X Falcon 9 Block 5
said March 24. The satellite, built by rocket in April. Space X is currently
Lockheed Martin, is now officially investigating an engine anomaly that
under the control of the Second Space took place during a Falcon 9 launch of
Operations Squadron located at 60 Starlink satellites on March 18. One
Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, of nine Merlin engines in the rocket’s
SMC said. “This marks our second first stage shut down prematurely,
transfer of Satellite Control Authority but CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter
for the GPS III program as we continue that the anomaly did not prevent the
to modernize the GPS constellation company from getting the satellites to
with more capable and resilient orbit. Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of
systems.” said Col. Edward Byrne, SMC’s launch enterprise directorate,
chief of Production Corps’ Medium said Tuesday that his team is closely
Earth Orbit Space Systems Division at engaged with Space X “on what they
SMC, in the release. “It’s only through observed in that launch, and they are
the hard work, professionalism, and working to understand it to ensure
dedication of our entire government that when we put a national security
and industry partner team that we satellite on top of a launch vehicle,
can successfully transition GPS III that it will achieve orbit.” Bongiovi said
SV02 to operations.” The second GPS on the media call that the Space Force
III space vehicle, dubbed “Magellan,” works through test discoveries with all
was launched in August 2019 aboard of its providers before a new launch.
a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta The ongoing work with Space X is not
IV Medium+ launch vehicle from Cape “a different process; it’s just another
Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. set of data that we’re working with to
ULA is a joint launch venture between get to that launch,” he said.

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