SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The fifth Mobile
User Objective System (MUOS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin
(NYSE:LMT) for the U.S. Navy has reached orbit, successfully
deployed its solar arrays and antennas, and is beginning
pre-operational, on-orbit testing.
Originally launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on
June 24, MUOS-5 experienced an
anomaly with its orbit raising propulsion system on its way to
geosynchronous orbit on June 29. Out
of caution, the Navy and Lockheed Martin engineering team
immediately placed the satellite in a safe mode in transfer orbit
as they investigated and examined their options.
"In the end, the Navy and Lockheed Martin engineering team were
able to isolate the issue and develop a work-around using
alternative propulsion," said Mark
Woempner, director of Narrowband Communications Systems at
Lockheed Martin. "Once we had a plan together, in early October we
carefully re-started orbit raising maneuvers."
MUOS-5 completed orbit raising on Oct.
22, and successfully deployed its solar arrays for power
generation and its antennas for mission operations on Oct. 30. The satellite will begin on-orbit
testing before being turned over to the Navy for further testing
and eventual commissioning into service.
For the Navy, MUOS-5 completes a network of orbiting satellites
and relay ground stations that is revolutionizing secure
communications for mobile military forces. Users with MUOS-capable
terminals will be able to seamlessly connect beyond line-of-sight
around the world and into the Global Information Grid, as well as
into the Defense Switched Network. MUOS' capabilities include
simultaneous, crystal-clear voice, video and mission data over a
secure high-speed Internet Protocol-based system.
The MUOS network provides near-global coverage, including
communications reach deep into polar regions. Once fully
operational, the network will provide users with 16 times more
communications capacity than the legacy system it will eventually
replace.
The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems and its
Communications Satellite Program Office responsible for the MUOS
program are based in San Diego.
Lockheed Martin assembled and tested all five now-on-orbit MUOS
satellites at its Sunnyvale,
California, facility.
For additional MUOS information, photos and video visit:
www.lockheedmartin.com/muos.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin