MUOS
GAO continues to criticize DoD’s management of narrowband satellite communications
The U.S. military’s narrowband communications satellites are oversubscribed and there is insufficient capacity to meet the needs of users, says a new report by the Government Accountability Office.
Navy to transfer satellite communications responsibilities to Air Force
The realignment does not affect the MUOS program. But any future narrowband satcom acquisition will be handled by the Air Force.
Ground segment getting more attention in military space programs, U.S. leaders say
Building and launching spacecraft sometimes gets so much attention that the ground segment — user terminals, command and control systems and network operations —isn’t always ready even after a satellite is in space.
Canada seeks buy-in for access to U.S. MUOS satellite system
The Canadian military, already a partner on two U.S. military satellite communications systems, is in discussions to use a third constellation that was until recently a U.S.-only system.
MUOS-5 finally reaches operational orbit, Navy says
The U.S. Navy announced that its MUOS-5 satellite has finally reached operational orbit following a problem with the main propulsion system in June.
Harris combat radios get National Security Agency clearance for MUOS upgrade
Harris Corp. said Nov. 1 that the backpack-sized military radios it builds for U.S. troops to carry into combat were recently certified by the National Security Agency to use the higher-throughput capabilities of the Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellites.
Air Force sent GSSAP satellite to check on stalled MUOS-5
The U.S. Air Force said Aug. 18 it sent one of its high-orbiting space surveillance satellites to check on a Navy communications satellite that ran into propulsion problems about halfway to geosynchronous orbit.
U.S. Navy narrows MUOS-5 problem to orbit raising propulsion system
The U.S. Navy said its newest communications satellite was about halfway to geosynchronous orbit when its orbit raising propulsion system failed during a transfer maneuver June 29.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems earnings down despite big ULA contribution
Lockheed Martin on July 20 reported lower revenue and operating profit at its Space Systems division for the six months ending June 26 despite a large profit contribution by launch-service provider United Launch Alliance (ULA).
Canada eyes $2.4 billion Arctic satellite communications constellation
The Canadian military wants to build a new constellation that would provide 24-hour satellite communications for the Arctic region as early as 2023, one of the country’s top space officers said June 29.
Atlas 5 returns to flight with launch of Navy’s MUOS-5
United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 rocket returned to flight June 24 with its first launch in three months to successfully lift the fifth and final satellite in the U.S. Navy’s next-generation mobile communications system.
Harris Corp.: MUOS radio software patch clears hurdle, antenna business booming
Harris Corp. on May 3 said it has successfully tested a software patch that will upgrade thousands of U.S. military tactical radio terminals to use the higher-throughput MUOS satellite system.
U.S. allies working on framework to build a sixth MUOS satellite
A consortium of U.S. international partners, led by Canada, could reach an agreement early next year to build a sixth Mobile User Objective System narrowband communications satellite, a top Lockheed Martin executive said March 15.
Pentagon: Narrowband? Wideband? Just call them communications satellites
The Defense Department may abandon its practice of distinguishing between wideband, narrowband and protected communications on its next generation of tactical communications satellites, a top Pentagon official said March 7.
U.S. Policy Change Will Give Allies Access to MUOS
The decision comes after years of allied complaints, especially from nations that had purchased U.S.-built Joint Strike Fighter aircraft on the assumption that they would be fitted with MUOS communications pods.
Editorial | Still Waiting for MUOS To Deliver
The successful launch of the U.S. Navy’s fourth Mobile User Objective System communications satellite Sept. 2 rounds out a multibillion-dollar constellation that has been in development for more than a decade. But the launch is also a reminder that more than three-and-a-half years after the February 2012 launch of the first satellite, some two years behind schedule, the MUOS system’s advanced capabilities remain unavailable.
U.S. Navy Launches 4th MUOS Telecom Satellite
The U.S. Navy launched the fourth satellite in its next-generation mobile communications system Sept. 2 after a two-day weather delay.
MUOS-4 Launch Set for Wednesday following Storm Delay
Weather has pushed back the Atlas 5 launch of a U.S. Navy mobile communications satellite that had been scheduled for Monday morning.
U.S. Navy’s MUOS-4 Shipped for August Launch
The U.S. Navy’s fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communications satellite arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in preparation for a scheduled August launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.
Technical Issues Prompt U.S. Navy To Delay Certification of MUOS
The U.S. Navy was forced to postpone the final certification test of its next-generation mobile satellite communications system to December 2015 because of problems integrating the system’s new radio frequency waveform with the ground segment and terminals.
