This will be the second launch for the WGS constellation. The WGS-2 satellite will provide the warfighter with the same capabilities as WGS-1 while extending global coverage. WGS-1 launched in October 2007 and US Strategic Command accepted it for use during operations in April 2008. WGS-1 reached Initial Operating Capability in January 2009.
"I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the launch team in working the long hours that have brought us to where we are today,” said Col. Donald Robbins, Commander, Wideband SATCOM Group,MILSATCOM Systems Wing. "With the launch of WGS-2, we are continuing to provide increased wideband capabilities to the warfighter and also providing more capabilities with each WGS space vehicle than the entire on-orbit Defense Satellite Communications System constellation."
After the launch of WGS-2, WGS-3 will round out the remainder of the Block I contract. The WGS-3 satellite has completed its test programs and is slated for launch in August 2009. The WGS Block II contract for WGS-4 and WGS-5 was awarded in 2006. In December 2008, Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, Space and Missile Center, authorized Boeing $234 million to begin production of the sixth WGS satellite, with a contract launch date of March 2013. The sixth space vehicle will be paid for by Australia and they will share a portion of the bandwidth of the WGS constellation. This production authorization followed the award received in December 2007 for long lead parts for WGS-6. All three of the WGS Block II satellites are now in full production, with the first Block II satellite scheduled for delivery in 2011.
The WGS system is being procured through a commercial contract with The Boeing Company by the Wideband SATCOM Group, part of the MILSATCOM Systems Wing. The MCSW plans for, acquires and sustains space-enabled global communications to support the President, Secretary of Defense, and combat forces. MCSW is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, home of the Space and Missile Systems Center. WGS is the nation’s nexgen wideband satellite communications system and will augment and eventually replace the Defense Satellite Communication System, which has been the Department of Defense’s backbone for satellite communications over the last two decades.
The launch broadcast may be captured via satellite downlink using the following information...
- Start Date/Time: 3/17/2009 20:45:00 EASTERN
- End Date/Time: 3/17/2009 22:45:00 EASTERN
- TEST SIGNALS: 20:45:00 – 21:04:00 EASTERN
- PROGRAM BEGINS: 21:04:00 EASTERN
- CARRIER: Intelsat
- SATELLITE: Galaxy 28
- TRANSPONDER: C-15
- ORBITAL POSITION: 89 degrees West
- BANDWIDTH 36MHz
- DOWNLINK FREQ 4000.00 (V)
(Photo credits: Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance)