The Australian Government provided A$927m ($822.7m) in funding for ground infrastructure of the sixth WGS satellite under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the DoD in 2007. Three satellites operating in X- and Ka-band can be controlled and tracked by a global satellite configuration and control element (GSCCE), using a telemetry tracking and command links (TT&C) system. Originally five satellites were planned. Phase I supported a continental United States (CONUS) testbed. Each WGS system also has the capacity to supply data transmission rates ten times faster than the DSCS service life enhancement programme (SLEP) satellites. The WGS system iscomposed of three principalsegments: Space Segment(satellites), Control Segment(operators) and TerminalSegment (users). WGS provides worldwide, flexible, high-capacity communications for US Government Agencies, Department of Defense (DOD), multiple International Partners and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It's like going from dial-up . The satellite operators in charge of commanding and monitoring the satellite's bus and payload systems as well as managing the network operating over the satellite are the control segment. Satellite Animation Duration. 30 20 10 547.5 547.6 547.7 Altitude history of Norad ID 48119 days past altitude (km) This includes eight steerable/shapeable X-band beams formed by separate transmit and receive phased arrays; 10 steerable Ka-band beams served by independently steerable, diplexed gimbaled dish antennas, including three with selectable polarization; and one X-band Earth coverage beam. An artists conception of the WGS 11+ satellite. Enter a Location to Point From. Payload commanding and network control are managed by the armys 53rd Signal Battalion at Peterson AFB, Colorado, with subordinate elements at seven locations. December 22, 2016. As of the latest revision, the WGS 84 datum surface is a pole-flattened ( oblate) spheroid, with major ( transverse) radius a = 6,378,137 m at the equator, and minor ( conjugate) radius b = 6,356,752.314 245 m at the poles (a flattening of 21.384 685 755 km, or 1/298.257 223 563 0.335% in relative terms). We deliver secure, resilient connectivity services and solutions to our military and allies that give them the information dominance they need to bring warfighters home safe. Background Red dots are reference stations used within the current network. The WGS Fleet is controlled by four Army Wideband Satellite Operation Centers that receive telemetry and send commands to up to three satellites per center. The upgraded hardware also will be installed on the planned 10th WGS satellite. In March 2007 the acronym WGS was changed to Wideband Global Satcom. The WGS-2 satellite, which was designated as USA-204, entered service in August 2009. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): the future fuel of aircraft? The WGS satellites will complement the DSCS III Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) and GBS payloads and will offset the eventual decline in DSCS III capability. The orbit data is extracted from the following two-line orbital elements, 1 39222U 13041A 23053.33868934 .00000076 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997 2 39222 0.0131 103.0841 0000182 169.9453 225.6390 1.00270828 33911. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Animation Speed. WGS satellites are a follow-on to the current Defense Satellite Communications System satellites, but they offer a tenfold capability improvement in available bandwidth. A digital channelizer divides the uplink bandwidth into nearly 1900 independently routable 2.6MHz subchannels providing any-coverage-to-any-coverage connectivity (including X-to-Ka and Ka-tocrossbanding) for maximum operational flexibility. WGS 5 extended the Wideband Global SATCOM constellation to the Americas for a host of users following launch in May 2013. The b parameter is often rounded to . Step 1. WGS-11+ is expected to include an advanced digital payload and operational capabilities that improve on those of its predecessors. The new Wideband Gapfiller satellites complement the DSCS III Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) and GBS payloads, and offset the eventual decline in DSCS III capability. The WGS satellite communication system is divided into two blocks. Two-way Ka- (1GHz) and X-Band (500MHz) communications are supported by the Spacecraft which also provides a capability to convert signals from one to the other with its onboard systems. [3] According to United Launch Alliance, quoted on Spaceflight Now, "A single WGS spacecraft has as much bandwidth as the entire existing DSCS constellation. [9][10] Originally, the second spacecraft was to fly on the Delta IV M+ (5,4), and the third on the Atlas V 421, but they were switched for an undisclosed reason.[11]. At the same time, the expected number of Gapfiller satellites alone would not provide full 65N-to-65S worldwide coverage across all intended coverage areas and all longitudes. WGS 11, which is slated for delivery from prime contractor Boeing in 2023, will provide more coverage beams and more beam formed bandwidth . Boeing illustration. The history of U.S. MILSATCOM has been one of aggregation of mission capabilities over time. The combined wideband satellite communications system consists of space vehicles of multiple types, control terminals and facilities, and user terminals. Phase II is the GBS capability hosted on the last three UHF Follow-On (UFO) communications satellites. Required power varies between 1,300 and 4,500 Watts achieving a thrust of up to 165 Millinewtons and a specific impulse of 3,500 seconds. GBS SBM DECC sites in Oklahoma City OK and Mechanicsberg PA currently service 1500+ GBS RS deployed world-wide at Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force ground sites, shipboard and subsurface platforms and at NORTHCOM-sponsored homeland defense organizations worldwide. WGS 6 (USA 244) - Orbit. Air Force Space Command's vision in the mid-to-late WGS timeframe (2015 - 2020) is to leverage the validated wideband product lines such as FAB-T, GMT, and Army WIN-T to support GBS product reception (one-way) and when prioritized and funded, provide reach-back (two-way) of GBS services. The Gapfiller satellites must either be backward compatible with, or allow for the affordable upgrade of, the existing terminal populations in use with the DSCS and GBS systems. A total of 19 independent coverage areas that can be used throughout the field of view of each satellite. The satellite was carried by an Atlas V 421 launch vehicle lifting off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). Satellite coverage spans great distances A satellite can directly connect points separated by 1000's of miles A satellite can broadcast to 1000's of . The block II satellites meet the bandwidth requirements of war-fighters, thereby providing information exchange, enabling execution of tactical command and control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C4ISR), battle management and combat support information. Block I contains WGS-1, WGS-2 and WGS-3 satellites, while block II satellites include WGS-4, WGS-5 and WGS-6. The WGS-1 was launched into orbit on 10 October 2007 on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle. It carries Ka-band and X-band transponders with 8.088 gigahertz of bandwidth - offering downlink speeds of up to 11 gigabits per second . EN . The Wideband Gapfiller Satellites are the DoD's most capable and powerful communication satellite. In addition to providing improvements in X-band capability, WGS satellites also have a new Ka band capability that can be used for both two-way and Global Broadcast Service communications. The WGS-1 satellite operates over the Pacific region. The Wideband Gapfiller Satellite (WGS) will provide unprecedented X-band user coverage flexibility with two digitally controlled multibeam phased array antennas. The first spacecraft of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) - run jointly by NASA and the German Aerospace Center - re-entered the atmosphere on March 10, 2018, over four months after ending a science mission of over 15 years. Subsequently, the Users include the Australian Defence Force and U.S. Army ground mobile terminals, U.S. Navy ships and submarines, national command authorities for the nuclear forces, and various national security/allied national forces. Launch of these satellites was completed in Fiscal Year 2000. The ground segment is a critical part of the end-to-end science data return, and it includes all the ground-based elements that are used to collect and disseminate information from the satellite to the user (figure 11.1). The satellite was launched by a Delta IV M+ (5,4) launch vehicle, originally an Atlas V 421 but replaced with WGS-2. In addition, the satellite uses four axial 22-Newton Thrusters and four radial 10-Newton thrusters for smaller orbit adjustments, drifting in Geostationary Orbit and attitude maneuvers. Space Systems Command announced the milestone Feb. 1. WGS provides worldwide, flexible, high-capacity communications for US Government Agencies, Department of Defense (DOD), multiple International Partners and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). DOD considered accelerating AEHF by 18 months but later agreed to have a 3-year gap from last MILSTAR and the first AEHF launch. WGS-4 (USA-233), the first satellite of the Block II, was launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA) from SLC-37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) by a Delta IV M+ (5,4) on 20 January 2012, at 00:38:00 UTC. The end users of the communication services provided by the WGS are described by the DoD as the terminal segment. (Current as of Feb 2023), An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Boeing and the U.S. Air Force MILSATCOM Systems Wing have signed in October 2006 a $1.067billion contract for up to three more Wideband Gapfiller Satellites (WGS), if all options are exercised. With advanced phased-array design and anti-jam technology, Boeing satellites grant the warfighter and government decision-makers unconstrained access and connectivity in a contested environment. WGS 1 [Boeing BSS] 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 DSCS-3 series of communications satellites. A statement said WGS-11+ will have more communications flexibility than the entire existing WGS constellationreferring to the new satellites numerous coverage beamswith twice the mission capability in contested environments.. The Gapfiller System supports continuous 24 hour per day wideband satellite services to tactical users and some fixed infrastructure users. Around 500MHz of X-band and 1GHz Ka-band spectrum is allocated to WGS. WGS systems enhance the DoDs communication services provided by the defence satellite communications system (DSCS) satellites and the global broadcast system (GBS) operating at an ultra-high frequency (UHF). Boeings team of contractors includes Harris Corporation, ITT Industries, Logicon and SAIC. Typically, 702HP is equipped with a 490-Newton bipropellant apogee motor for the climb into Geostationary Orbit. WGS augments the one-way Global Broadcast Service (GBS) service through new two-way Ka-band service. The WGS system provides essential wideband global communicationsservices allowing Combatant Commanders to exert command and controlof their tactical forces, from peace time to military operations. WGS provides worldwide flexible, high data rate and long haul communications for marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, the White House Communication Agency, the US State Department, international partners, and other special users. Primary function:High-capacity military communications satellite These satellites have a much smaller coverage fraction f than does GPS, typically limited by a sensor's field of view. Boeing conducted a ground test for a Ka-band SATCOM antenna system for installation in the spacecraft in January 2011. Two of the four thrusters are used as primary units at any given time and stationkeeping in Geostationary Orbit will require four burns for a total of about 30 minutes per day to maintain the satellite within a 0.01 degree stationkeeping zone which allows many satellites to be collocated in a single orbital slot. In December 2003, the OSD Aug. 7, 2013 Boeing added extra solar panels to their original design, which added weight and changed the class of EELV. HOME / SATELLITES / Satellite Coverage Maps . Night mode. The Defense Department started placing WGS satellites in orbit in 2007. Try reducing the number of spacecraft selected if the map is slow to respond. Last updated: 03 Mar 2023, 19:56 UTC The USSF Space Delta 8s 4th Space OperationsSquadron (4 SOPS) manages and controls the on-orbit satellite buses. These characteristics provide a quantum leap in communications capacity, connectivity and flexibility for U.S. military forces and international partners while seamlessly integrating with current and future X- and Ka-band terminals. MILSATCOM Joint Program Office is integrating the WGS and GBS space and ground segments. The final contract for this satellite was awarded in September 2011, together with long lead items for WGS8 and an option for WGS9. In October 2020, Boeing and the US Space Force completed the first major design review for WGS-11+ communications satellite. The WGS constellation represents the primary communications system for the Department of Defence operated alongside the specialized AEHF operated by the Air Force and the Navys MUOS mobile communications system. One of the NATO systems using satellite communications from NSS6G is the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system. WGS system provides 4.875GHz instantaneous switchable bandwidth. The satellite operates in the Indian Ocean region and provides high-capacity communication links to US troops in . Boeing successfully launched the WGS-2 into geostationary orbit on the Atlas V in April 2009. [16][17], WGS-9 (USA-275) was launched on 19 March 2017, at 00:18:00 UTC. It is available in different medium models: medium+ (4,2), medium+ (5,2), medium+ (5,4) and heavy. AMOS-3 | 4W ; AMOS-7 | 4W ; AMOS-17 | 17E ; AMOS-4 | 65E ; Choose Area: Europe Ku-band ; Middle East Ku-band ; North America Ku-band ; Ukraine Ku-band ; Choose Area: Southern Africa Ku band ; Middle East Ku band ; CEE Ku band ; This year, resiliency is baked into all the conversations, said assistant secretary of Defense for space policy John, The Space Force and the Pentagon have put considerable effort into making proliferating satellite constellations to make them more resilient against attack, but the ground stations and networks that communicate with those satellites pose a backdoor risk through which adversaries could potentially attack space capability, said Chief of Space Operations, The Space Force must transition from delivering behind-the-scenes support to playing a more active role in which space capabilities are continuously tested and contestedand it must do so in as short a time as possible, said Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Its coverage area stretches from the West Coast of the United States to Southeast Asia. Satellite information WGS 6 (USA 244) - WGS-6, WIDEBAND GLOBAL SATCOM 6 NORAD ID:39222. Live World Map of Satellite Positions - In-The-Sky.org Live Map of Satellite Positions by Dominic Ford World map Satellites above your horizon 3D globe Planetarium view Search overhead passes Date Time : Time slider Showing Time -- Freeze motion Show labels Show tracks Search Color satellites by Selection Showing -- spacecraft. These satellites operate in the programmed X- and Ka-band frequency spectrum. Connectivity: The enhanced connectivity capabilities of WGS enable any user talk to any other user with very efficient use of satellite bandwidth. SpaceX is developing a low latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. WGS 3-WGS F3-12W-KA band footprint-beam-coverage : WGS 1+2+3 - Global beams, geographical . Chance Saltzman unveiled his "Theory of Success" concept Feb. 22, as the force carves out its military role. 17-05-2019 17:24:28 ZULU. The satellite operators come under the control segment. The DSCS system was replaced by five fully operational Wideband Gapfiller Satellites (WGS), each able to downlink 2.4 Gbps of data to tactical users. Limited protected services are provided under conditions of stress to selected users employing terrestrial modems capable of providing protection against jamming. The company is also investing in a low-orbiting satellite approach that could offer connectivity at a more rapid speed than currently available. The narrower spot beams on WGS-11+ are designed to deliver a stronger, more reliable connection, said vice president of Boeing Government Satellite Systems Troy Dawson in the Boeing release. A description published by the Air Force calls the constellation the backbone of the U.S. militarys satellite communications adding the satellites themselves are its highest capacity communications satellites.. WGS is a high-capacity satellite communications system designed to support the warfighter with newer and far greater capabilities than those provided by current systems, yet it is compatible. WGS-11 is to be completed by Boeing by 2024 under a US$605 million contract.[20][21]. Launches In June 2012, Boeing was selected to upgrade the wideband digital channeliser that offers 90% improvement for satellites WGS-8 and beyond. This will placed greater dependency on Wideband Gapfiller, Global Broadcast System, and leases. The models are differentiated depending on the specific payload size and weight ranges. GMT, Light map shows the quantized color-coded availability from each satellite's field of view based on the optimized data rate for the reference link which operates in a relatively benign propagation environment. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. The U.S. Space Forces Space and Space Systems Command (SSC) isresponsible for development, acquisition, fielding, and sustainment ofthe WGS Program. General Characteristics Together these assets will provide wideband services during the transition period between today's systems and the advent of the Objective X/Ka wideband system or Advanced Wideband System (AWS), which has merged with Transformational Communications System (TCS), in 2008-2009. Timezone: 51.51N 1 priority in 2022, with proliferated constellations of satellites a focus of this program to ensure systems remain operable even if some elements are lost. About Contact Widget Social Media Facebook Twitter Instagram . The IWS System supports continuous 24-hour-per-day wideband satellite services to tactical users and some fixed infrastructure users. Satellite Dish Pointer with Google Maps. Although ion thrusters deliver a very low thrust, they are extremely efficient and consume only a very small amount of propellant. WGS offers 4.875 GHz of instantaneous switchable bandwidth, thus each WGS can supply more than 10 times the capacity of a DSCS III Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) satellite. Our Satellite Dish Pointer calculates your Azimuth, Elevation, and Polarity Skew values based on your address as entered into the box below. The controlsegment is comprised of theDelta 8 squadrons and globallyplace resources to plan,manage, and control the WGSconstellation. Band; ABS-6: 159.0E: C/Ku: Express-AM5: 140.0E: C/Ku: Express-AT2: 139.9E: Ku . Hoping to prod a debate on the Space Force's future, Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. If the WGS Program did not go forward, DoD satellite communication capabilities would be at risk and would not be adequate to meet DoD's future and increasing communication requirements. WGS8 was awarded in December 2011. click here. The first three WGS satellites are known as the Block I Group of Satellites that were part of the initial deal with Boeing signed in January 2002. The longitude is assumed to range from -180 to +180 degrees, and the latitude must be clipped to range from -85. . Website designed by RD-4 engines were built by Kasier Marquardt. Like the DSCS constellation that WGS will replace, spacecraft bus is commanded by the 4th Space Operations Squadron of Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. No other alternatives to the WGS program had been identified by the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office (SMC/MCX). 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