US: Lockheed Martin has completed thermal vacuum testing on the fourth satellite scheduled to launch and join the US Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation. It is believed that MUOS operates like a smart-phone cell tower in the sky, vastly improving current secure mobile satellite communications for warfighters on the move. MUOS Wideband Code Division Multiple Access technology users are expected to receive beyond-line-of-sight capability to transmit and receive voice and data using an Internet Protocol-based system. The launch of the next satellite will complete the operational constellation and provide global coverage.
“The successful completion of thermal vacuum testing assures that MUOS-4 can endure the extreme hot and cold temperatures it will experience throughout its on-orbit mission life. The delivery of this fixed price vehicle shows a clear advantage for block buys to drive down defects and maintain low costs through learning curve advantages,” said Iris Bombelyn, Vice President of Lockheed Martin’s Narrowband Communications mission area.
Source: Lockheed Martin
