The encapsulation procedure in preparation for the launch of the U.S. Air Force’s third Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft was successfully completed on October 30 by engineers at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Florida.

The encapsulation of WGS-3 in the Delta IV launch vehicle payload fairing marks an important milestone for the spacecraft and launch campaign. The event marks completion of Air Force Satellite Control Network compatibility testing, payload and bus functional testing and propellant load. The launch is scheduled for November 19, 2009.

Photo on right: A Delta IV rocket launches at 5:53 a.m. on Nov. 4 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex-6. The rocket carried a Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite in to space. The satellite will transition into a polar earth orbit to provide weather forecasts for service members on battlefields around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joe Davila)

“Our first two WGS spacecrafts already provide vital communications capacity to U.S. and Australian forces from the west coast of North America across the Pacific and Indian Oceans to eastern Africa,” said Col. Donald Robbins, Wideband Global SATCOM Group commander.  “In addition, the number of communication links available provides the warfighters greater connectivity, flexibility and control over the DSCS satellites.”

WGS-1 launched on October 10, 2007, and U.S. Strategic Command accepted WGS-1 for operational use April 14, 2008.  WGS-2 launched on April 3, 2009 and began operational use August 21, 2009.  After the WGS-3 launch, all Block I vehicles will be on orbit and the Block I contract will move towards closure.

The WGS Block II program, comprised of WGS-4, WGS-5 and WGS-6, is scheduled to begin launching in 2011.