The Navy’s fifth Mobile User Objective System satellite, MUOS-5, reached operational orbit on Oct. 22, the sea service announced this week.
It also has successfully deployed its solar arrays and antennas, and will complete the five-satellite MUOS constellation once on-orbit testing is completed, the Navy said in a statement.
The reported successes come after a June 24 launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station that was followed by the satellite experiencing a failure of its orbit raising propulsion system, a hiccup that halted the satellite’s maneuver to its test orbit.
In the end, officials were able to execute an alternate propulsion method to get MUOS-5 in to position.
The MUOS system is slated to provide better communications for users around the globe, regardless of location.
The constellation and affiliated ground networks will provide cellphone communication capabilities for at least the next decade.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
