The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin will be launching the second Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite on Friday, July 19 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The launch window is between 8:48 a.m. and 9:32 a.m. EDT.

MUOS satellites feature a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access payload that incorporates commercial technology designed to provide 16 times the number of accesses above requirements for the legacy UHF Follow-On system. The satellites also include a hosted legacy UHF payload that will be fully compatible with the current ultra-high frequency system and legacy terminals.

The geosynchronous constellation consists of four satellites and one on-orbit spare, which are expected to achieve full operational capability in 2015, extending UHF narrowband communications availability well past 2025.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator. The Navy’s Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.

[Image courtesy: Lockheed Martin]