US Govt delays launch of classified NROL-37 spy satellite
The launch of the US National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-37 spy satellite mission has been postponed, United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced in a release on Friday. "The Delta IV [heavy rocket] NROL-37 launch is delayed at the request of the customer," ULA stated. "The NROL-37 spacecraft and launch vehicle are secure on Space Launch Complex 37."
The ULA has originally scheduled the launch of the satellite from Cape Canaveral on the largest Delta IV rocket for June 4. The ULA is a joint venture owned by Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company. It brings together two of the launch industry's most experienced and successful teams - Atlas and Delta - to provide reliable, cost-efficient space launch services for the US government.
US Navy Plans New Secure Satellite Communications Launch in May
The US Navy plans to launch the fifth in a series of new military secure communications satellites in May 2016, US defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced in a press release.
"The US Navy and Lockheed Martin delivered the fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on March 3, prior to its expected May launch," the release stated on Wednesday.
The MUOS-5 spacecraft will be the third such satellite launched in a 16-month span and will be the latest addition to a network of orbiting satellites and relay ground stations that are revolutionizing secure communications for US mobile military forces, the contractor claimed.
"Users with operational MUOS terminals will be able to seamlessly connect beyond line-of-sight around the world and into the Global Information Grid," the company said.
MUOS' new capabilities include simultaneous, crystal-clear voice, video and mission data, over a secure high-speed Internet Protocol-based system, similar to today's smart phones, the release added.
MUOS-5 will complete the US Navy's baseline constellation and serve as an on-orbit spare for the system, ensuring the network is always available to support US and allied mobile forces.
Source: Sputnik News
