Lockheed Martin Space Systems said Jan. 20 that it had mated the first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite’s communications module with the propulsion core at its facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif., clearing the way for environmental testing of the fully integrated U.S. military communications satellite to begin.

The geosynchronous satellite, which will provide ultra-high-frequency communications for the military, is scheduled for on-orbit hand-|over to the U.S. Navy in 2011.

Lockheed Martin is the MUOS prime contractor. General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is providing the associated ground system.