Installation began in July 2004 for a new antenna for the Air Force Satellite Control Network operation at New Boston AFS, N.H., and operational testing began on Dec. 14. It took more than one year to complete the radome housing the antenna, reports Maj. Dean Bellamy of the 23rd Space Operations Squadron at New Boston. The unit must complete four phases of testing before putting the system online. By the way, the last antenna lasted some 44 years.
Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., said the range is “fully mission capable” to support launches following a major May 28 mishap involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.