First the launch on April 3, and now the first on-orbit signals from the second of six Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites have been acknowledged by Boeing [NYSE: BA]. Boeing is building the WGS sats for the U.S. Air Force. The signals indicate that the spacecraft is healthy and ready to begin orbital maneuvers and operational testing. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. Air Force’s second Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 8:31 p.m. EDT April 3. After a 31-minute flight, WGS-2 was placed successfully in orbit where it will provide enhanced communication abilities to our troops in the field. Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle successfully launched satellite WGS-2 at 8:31 p.m. Eastern time on April 3 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base. A ground station in Dongara, Australia, received the satellite's first signals 44 minutes later, at 9:15 p.m. Eastern time. Boeing controllers in El Segundo, California, confirmed that the satellite is functioning normally.

"Friday's launch represents an important milestone in the implementation of the WGS fleet," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "We thank the U.S. Air Force, The Aerospace Corporation, and the United Launch Alliance for their continuing partnership with Boeing as we build and launch these assets that significantly increase the communications flexibility and capability of U.S. military personnel."

Following a series of orbital maneuvers and rigorous on-orbit testing, WGS-2 will begin operating for the Air Force. WGS-1, which entered service in April 2008, and WGS-2 will increase the communications capacity bandwidth available to the Air Force and help meet the growing demand for military satellite communications.

The WGS satellites are Boeing 702 spacecraft with 13 kilowatts of power, flexible coverage areas, and the ability to connect X-band and Ka-band users anywhere within their field of view via reconfigurable antennas and a digital channelizer. The satellites' ability to transmit on X-band, Ka-band or both is not available on any other military satellite communications system.

Boeing is building three Block I and three Block II WGS satellites. The Block II satellites will include a radio frequency bypass designed to support airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms requiring additional bandwidth. Boeing designs and builds the WGS satellites at its factory in El Segundo.