USA-233

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USA-233
Wideband Global SATCOM.jpg
Artist's impression of a WGS-4 satellite in orbit
NamesWGS-4
WGS SV-4
Wideband Global SATCOM-4
Mission typeMilitary communications
OperatorUnited States Air Force / United States Space Force
COSPAR ID2012-003A
SATCAT no.38070
Websitehttps://www.spaceforce.mil/
Mission duration14 years (planned)
9 years, 11 months and 11 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftWGS-4
Spacecraft typeWGS Block II
BusBSS-702HP
ManufacturerBoeing Satellite Systems
Launch mass5,987 kg (13,199 lb)
Dry mass3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
Power11 kW
Start of mission
Launch date20 January 2012, 00:38:00 UTC
RocketDelta IV M+ (5,4) (s/n D358)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-37B
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeosynchronous orbit
Longitude88.5° East (Indian Ocean)
WGS-4 logo.jpg  

USA-233, or Wideband Global SATCOM 4 (WGS-4) is an United States military communications satellite operated by the United States Air Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM programme, which was launched in 2012. The fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite, it is the first WGS Block II satellite to be launched. It is stationed at 88.5° East (Indian Ocean) in geostationary orbit.[1]

Overview[]

The WGS system is a constellation of highly capable military communications satellites that leverage cost-effective methods and technological advances in the communications satellite industry. The WGS system is composed of three principal segments: Space Segment (satellites), Control Segment (operators) and Terminal Segment (users). Each WGS satellite provides service in multiple frequency bands, with the unprecedented ability to cross-band between the two frequencies onboard the satellite. WGS augments other satellites.[2]

In early 2001, a satellite communications industry team led by Boeing Satellite Systems was selected to develop the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite (WGS) system as successors to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) series of communications satellites. This satellite communications system is intended to support the warfighter with newer and far greater capabilities than provided by current systems. In March 2007, the acronym WGS was changed to Wideband Global SATCOM.[3]

Just one WGS satellite provides more SATCOM capacity than the entire legacy Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) constellation.[2]

As the backbone of the U.S. military's global satellite communications, Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite (WGS) system provides flexible, high-capacity communications for the Nation's warfighters through procurement and operation of the satellite constellation and the associated control systems. WGS provides worldwide flexible, high data rate and long haul communications for the Department of Defense (DOD), governmental organizations and international partners.[2]

Satellite description[]

WGS-4 can transmit data with approximately 3.6 gigabits per second bandwidth. It can point 19 individual beams at different points on the Earth, operating at X-band and Ka-band frequencies.[4] Built by Boeing Satellite Systems around the BSS-702HP satellite bus, the 5,987 kg (13,199 lb) satellite is expected to operate for fourteen years. Propulsion is provided by a R-4D apogee motor, and four XIPS-25 ion thrusters for stationkeeping.[3] It is valued at US$464 million.[5]

Launch[]

The launch of WGS-4 took place at 00:38:00 UTC on 20 January 2012, using a Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) launch vehicle flying from Space Launch Complex 37B (SLC-37B) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS).[5] The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance (ULA), and marked the eighteenth flight of the Delta IV. The launch vehicle successfully placed the satellite into a 440 by 66,870 km (270 by 41,550 mi) supersynchronous geostationary transfer orbit, with 24° of inclination.[4] Upon achieving orbit, WGS-4 was assigned its USA designation USA-233, and the International Designator 2012-003A.[6] The satellite used its onboard propulsion systems to inject itself into geosynchronous orbit.

References[]

  1. ^ "ULA Delta IV successfully lofts WGS-5 satellite". NASASpaceFlight.com. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Fact Sheets: Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite". United States Space Force. October 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b "WGS 4, 5, 6, 7 (WGS Block 2)". Gunter's Space Page. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b "WGS-4 Mission Overview" (PDF). United Launch Alliance. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Delta 4 rocket soars on Defense Department mission". Spaceflight Now. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Issue 653". Jonathan's Space Report. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
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