Members of the 45th Space Wing supported the successful launch of the Navy’s first Mobile User Objective System communications satellite. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., on Feb. 24, carrying the narrowband communications satellite into orbit. “The new MUOS constellation will bring a robust ‘communications-on-the-move’ capability to the mobile warfighter,” said Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, 45th SW commander, in a release. He added, “The entire government and contractor team worked together flawlessly to make this launch a success.” The Navy plans a constellation of four operational MUOS satellites in geosynchronous orbit plus one on-orbit spare. According to the sea service, the MUOS satellites will provide more than 10 times the communications capacity of the current UHF Follow-On constellation.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
