Third MUOS launches Jan. 20

The third Mobile User Objective System satellite is scheduled to launch from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Jan. 20. The MUOS satellite is designed to improve secure satellite communications for mobile U.S. forces. Five of the Lockheed Martin MUOS satellites will eventually be launched to form the constellation. Two MUOS satellites launched in 2012 and 2013 are already providing communications capability from their orbits 22,000 miles above Earth. Ultimately, the constellation and network will extend narrowband communications availability past 2025. (Sources: ExecutiveGov, 01/05/15, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs, 12/30/14) Gulf Coast note: Work on the propulsion system for the A2100 satellite-based spacecraft is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss.