U.S. Air Force Awards United Launch Alliance WGS-4 Satellite Launch — Press Release

January 5, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, United Launch Alliance, United States, development program, space 

U.S. Air Force Awards United Launch Alliance WGS-4 Satellite Launch

DENVER, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center recently awarded United Launch Alliance a contract modification to perform the launch services for the Wideband Global SATCOM-4 (WGS-4) satellite aboard a Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. The anticipated launch period is December 2011 – February 2012 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The WGS-4 mission will be the fourth satellite of the WGS system and the first in the Block II series. The WGS satellites are from the space component of a new high-capacity satellite communications system providing enhanced communications capabilities to America’s troops in the field for the next decade and beyond. WGS enables more robust and flexible execution of Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), as well as battle management and combat support information functions.

WGS-4 will join the existing constellation of the WGS-1, 2 and 3 satellites and provide additional information broadcast capabilities. WGS-1 and WGS-2 were both launched previously on ULA Atlas V rockets on Oct. 10, 2007 and Apr. 3, 2009 respectfully. WGS-3 was launched on a Delta IV on Dec. 5, 2009.

“Following the launch of WGS-3, United Launch Alliance is proud to continue our vital role in providing the latest technology for the warfighter with this contract for the fourth launch of a WGS spacecraft,” said Michael Gass, ULA President and Chief Executive Officer. “The WGS constellation was the first series of satellites to launch on both the Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles since the inception of ULA. This operational flexibility for our government customers was a primary reason for the creation of ULA.”

This mission will be launched by the Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) configuration using a single common booster core with a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine with four Alliant Techsystems GEM 60 solid rocket motors, a PWR RL10B-2 upper stage engine and a five-meter diameter upper stage and composite payload fairing.

ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, and San Diego, Calif. Launch operations are located at CCAFS, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).

Source: United Launch Alliance

CONTACT: Michael Rein of United Launch Alliance, +1-321-730-5646, cell,
+1-321-693-6250, michael.j.rein@ulalaunch.com

Web Site: http://www.ulalaunch.com/

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ATK Plays Key Roles in Successful Launch of Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-3) — Press Release

December 8, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Alliant Techsystems, Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases, Satellites, atk, space 

ATK Plays Key Roles in Successful Launch of Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-3)

ATK Supports First Launch of Delta IV Medium-Plus Vehicle Featuring Four Motors ATK’s Propulsion, Composite and Satellite Technologies Contribute to WGS Satellite Mission

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Alliant Techsystems’ (NYSE: ATK) composite, propulsion and spacecraft technologies supported the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., carrying the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-3) for the U.S. Air Force.

This was the first time the Delta IV medium-plus rocket featured four ATK 60-inch-diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM). The composite cases for the GEM motors were fabricated at the ATK Clearfield, Utah facility. The 70-foot-long motors were mounted in pairs on opposing sides of the rocket, with one fixed and one vectorable nozzle per side, and provided the auxiliary lift-off capability for the Delta IV medium plus configuration rocket. The GEM 60s burned for 90 seconds and provided 1,120,000 pounds of thrust to deliver the WGS satellite to its determined orbit.

ATK also designed and produced the nozzle for the Delta IV’s RS-68 engine. The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne-built RS-68 is the largest hydrogen-fueled engine in the world. ATK also designed and produced the nozzle’s thermal protection material, which is capable of shielding the nozzle from the extreme heat of launch when external temperatures can exceed 4,000 degrees F. The nozzle is manufactured at ATK’s Promontory, Utah facility.

ATK supplied 10 key composite structures for the Delta IV medium plus launch vehicle: the interstage that provides the interface between the Common Booster Core (CBC) and the cryogenic second stage, a centerbody that integrates the liquid oxygen (LO2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks, a thermal shield that protects the RS-68 engine during ignition and flight, one LO2 skirt, and one aeroskirt. The payload is encapsulated by ATK’s 5-meter diameter composite payload fairing, along with required hardware for payload integration including a nose cap, x-panels, payload attach fitting, and payload attach fitting diaphragm.

The composite structures are five meters in diameter and range from one to more than 15 meters in length. They are produced using hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at the company’s manufacturing facility in Iuka, Miss.

ATK provided key subsystem and component technologies for the successful launch of the WGS-3 satellite. ATK’s Commerce California facility provided the propellant tank for the Delta IV upper stage roll control system. Additionally, ATK Space Structures based in San Diego manufactured the payload module and the solar array substrates panels.

WGS-3, the third satellite of the series, will provide high-capacity X-band and Ka-band communications support to the U.S. and allied air forces in military operations across the world. WGS-1 has been in operation over the Pacific since April 2008, and WGS-2 has been operating over the Middle East since August 2009.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Media Contact: Investor Contact:

Bryce Hallowell Jeff Huebschen
Phone: 952-351-3087 Phone: 952-351-2929
E-mail: bryce.hallowell@atk.com E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com

Source: ATK

CONTACT: Bryce Hallowell, +1-952-351-3087, bryce.hallowell@atk.com, or
Investors, Jeff Huebschen, +1-952-351-2929, jeff.huebschen@atk.com, both of
ATK

Web Site: http://www.atk.com/

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Boeing Advances Security Upgrade for GPS Ground Control System — Press Release

September 28, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, IT, Press Releases, S&T, Satellites, development program 

Boeing Advances Security Upgrade for GPS Ground Control System

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed developmental system testing on the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite ground control system, known as the Operational Control Segment (OCS), for the addition of a critical new security capability.

The test demonstrated that the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) software upgrade meets all contractual system requirements. SAASM is designed to protect GPS receivers against fake satellite signals sent by adversaries.

“The completion of these tests continues the program’s outstanding performance record and demonstrates the benefits of our continuous-improvement program,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. “The team’s emphasis on system integration and risk reduction provides the Air Force with high confidence in our ability to continue to meet the GPS mission and maintain the 100 percent system performance we have delivered since the new OCS went operational in 2007.”

Boeing is now working with the Air Force in the operations suitability test phase to verify the software is ready to fly the constellation, and is incorporating final operator-requested changes with the goal of providing operational capability of the new security measures later this year.

Also, using GPS IIF Space Vehicle 2 on the ground at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and connected to the OCS at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, Boeing and the Air Force have successfully completed the first in a series of combined system tests that verify the OCS and GPS IIF space vehicle work together to perform the GPS missions.

Enabling SAASM within the OCS will deliver a new mission capability to the GPS constellation and synchronize space, control and user equipment for military implementation.

The OCS keeps the GPS system operational within specified accuracy to perform global civil, commercial and military operations. Assisted by Boeing, the Air Force began transitioning satellite operations from the previous system in September 2007. The conversion was completed in three phases without any service interruption.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

# # #

Contact:

Marc Selinger
Space & Intelligence Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com

Bob Pickard
Space & Intelligence Systems
310-364-6125
robert.pickard3@boeing.com

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Boeing Completes Ground Tests to Prepare for 1st GPS IIF Satellite Launch — Press Release

September 22, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases, S&T, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, space 

Boeing Completes Ground Tests to Prepare for 1st GPS IIF Satellite Launch

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed key ground tests that help pave the way for next year’s launch of the first Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite.

Built at Boeing’s El Segundo satellite factory, GPS IIF Space Vehicle 2 (SV-2) was tested at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida from May through August in preparation for the launch of SV-1, the first of 12 GPS IIF next-generation navigation satellites.

SV-2 successfully completed a consolidated system test (CST), which is a set of one-time, system-level design verification and validation tests involving the space vehicle, the ground-based control segment, and user equipment. In addition, GPS master control stations successfully commanded the space vehicle as they will do when the satellite is in operational orbit. SV-2 was also used as a “pathfinder” to validate transportation equipment and processes, as well as launch site test procedures and equipment.

“These successful tests reflect a combined effort from the Air Force and Boeing to ensure that the first GPS IIF satellite is on track to meet the Air Force’s current launch commitments,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. “The tests also demonstrate compatibility between the space vehicle and ground control segment, highlighting Boeing’s ability to integrate complex space and ground elements.”

Boeing is installing the final pieces of hardware on SV-1 and preparing it for its final cycle of environmental vacuum testing to confirm the spacecraft’s integrity for launch. SV-2 was returned to El Segundo on Sept. 3 and will follow SV-1 into environmental vacuum testing in preparation for its own launch.

GPS IIF is the product of Boeing’s experience with 39 successful satellites from the GPS Block I and Block II/IIA missions and more than 30 years of teamwork with the Air Force. GPS IIF features twice the navigational accuracy of heritage satellites, more robust signals for commercial aviation and search and rescue, and greater resistance to jamming in hostile environments. GPS IIF will form the core of the GPS constellation for many years to come.

GPS is a space-based, worldwide navigation system providing users with highly accurate, three-dimensional position, navigation and timing information 24 hours a day in all weather conditions.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Contact:

Marc Selinger
Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com

Bob Pickard
Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems
310-364-6125
robert.pickard3@boeing.com

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Boeing Ships Next-Generation GPS Satellite to Cape Canaveral for Tests — Press Release

June 25, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases, S&T, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, space 

Boeing Ships Next-Generation GPS Satellite to Cape Canaveral for Tests

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 25, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has shipped a Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to conduct a series of key tests for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation satellite navigation system.

Built at Boeing’s El Segundo satellite factory, Space Vehicle 2 (SV-2) is undergoing ground testing to prepare for the launch of SV-1, the first of 12 GPS IIF satellites. SV-2 arrived at Cape Canaveral May 7 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. SV-2 is being used to execute a consolidated system test (CST), which is a set of one-time, system-level design validation tests involving the
space vehicle, the ground-based control segment, and user equipment. SV-2 is also being used as a “pathfinder” to validate satellite transportation processes and equipment, and to validate the launch site test program, procedures and equipment. After completion of the CST and pathfinder activities, SV-2 will return to El Segundo to prepare for its own launch from the Cape.

“The shipment of this pathfinder satellite keeps GPS IIF on track for its first launch, and continues Boeing’s long, successful history of building GPS satellites for the U.S. Air Force,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. “The GPS IIF system will bring more capability and improved mission performance to the GPS constellation.”

GPS IIF is the product of Boeing’s experience with 39 successful satellites from the GPS Block I and Block II/IIA missions and more than 30 years of teamwork with the Air Force. GPS IIF features twice the navigational accuracy of heritage satellites, more robust signals for commercial aviation and search and rescue, and greater resistance to jamming in hostile environments. It will form the core of the constellation for many years to come.

GPS is a space-based, worldwide navigation system providing users with highly accurate, three-dimensional position, velocity and timing information 24 hours a day in all weather conditions. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Contact:

Marc Selinger
Space & Intelligence Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com

Diana Ball
Space & Intelligence Systems
562-797-4303
diana.ball@boeing.com

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