The MUOS constellation is now complete and fully operational. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command reports that the Navy's MUOS-5 satellite, a reserve unit, is also fully operational in geostationary orbit at 22.000 miles above Hawaii.
The MUOS-5 was launched on 24 last June. A subsequent anomaly in the satellite required a transfer maneuver in an intermediate orbit to allow the MUOS team to assess the situation and determine the solutions to be adopted. The MUOS was designed to provide the military with greater communication capabilities than existing systems. The four MUOS satellites in geostationary orbit, are equipped with Code Division Multiple Access wide-bandwidth (WCDMA), with a 16 transmission rate times greater than the current satellite system Ultra High Frequency (UHF).
Each MUOS satellite is also fully compatible with the previous frequencies used so as to ensure a smooth transition into WCDMA technology, retiring the UFO (UHF Follow-On) system. The MUOS-5 is a backup unit capable of guaranteeing immediate redundancy should you lose contact with one of the four main satellites of the Mobile User Objective System.
Each satellite constantly interfaces with two of the four ground stations, so as to reduce a sudden transmission interruption caused by the possible loss of the signal to and from the space. The first station is located at the Australian Defense Satellite Communications Station, in Kojarena, about 30 km east of Geraldto. The second in the SATCOM Facility, Northwest, Chesapeake in Southeast Virginia, while the third is in Hawaii. The fourth site that hosts the most sophisticated communication system in the world, is located in Niscemi, Sicily, about 60 km from the Naval Air Station of Sigonella. Built in the Sughereta reserve, the plant is located in the same area and the 46 antennas of the Naval Radio Transmitter, built in the 1991, are active.
The MUOS should guarantee a stable connection at high speed anywhere in the world and prevent bad decisions caused by the lack of real-time information coming from the battlefield.
Despite the proceedings arising from the protests led by the No-MUOS committee, the Niscemi plant should be fully operational no later than next year.
The constellation MUOS is fully operational and already interfaced with the nuclear submarine submarines on deterrent patrol.
(photo: US Navy)
