The US Air Force press release is reproduced below:

First Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Shipped to Cape Canaveral

Release Number: 050707

7/23/2007 - Los Angeles Air Force Base -- The U.S. Air Force's first Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) spacecraft (SV-1) was shipped July 20 to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Bringing unprecedented satellite communications services one step closer to the warfighter, the first satellite, WGS SV-1, was transported to the launch site in an environmentally-controlled container aboard an Air Force C-5 aircraft. From the site, it was transported to the Astrotech Space Facility in Titusville, Fla., for post-shipment processing.

Over the next several weeks, the spacecraft will undergo various verification testing procedures and encapsulation, where the spacecraft is placed inside the nose cone at the top of the launch vehicle.


WGS will provide essential communications services for Combatant
Commanders to command and control their tactical forces. Tactical forces
will rely on WGS to provide high-capacity connectivity into the terrestrial
portion of the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN).

WGS SV-1 is currently scheduled to be launched on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle Aug. 31.

This major milestone has come at the end of an extensive two-and one-half yearlong test program. During that time, the satellite's performance was verified as well as its ability to withstand the rigors of launch and exposure to the harsh space environment over its projected 14-year mission life.

WGS will be the nation's next-generation wideband satellite communications system. It will augment and eventually replace the aging Defense Satellite Communication System which has been the Department of Defense's backbone for satellite communications over the last two decades.

This first spacecraft alone will provide more capacity than the current DSCS on-orbit constellation.

"After final checkout and turnover of SV-1, we will have doubled the available high-capacity Military Satellite Communications services," said Col. Donald Robbins, Commander, Wideband SATCOM Group, MILSATCOM Systems Wing.

SV-1 will be the first WGS Block I satellite to be launched. SV-2 and SV-3 round out the remainder of the Block I contract and are both currently progressing through their test programs. Both satellites are slated for launch next year. The WGS Block II contract for SV-4 and SV-5 was awarded last year. The WGS system is being procured through a commercial contract with the Boeing Company by the Wideband SATCOM Group, part of MCSW.

The Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems including six wings and three groups responsible for GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control network, space based infrared systems, intercontinental ballistic missile systems and space situational awareness capabilities. SMC manages more than $60 billion in contracts, executes annual budgets of $10 billion and employs more than 6,800 people worldwide.

Source: US Air Force press release

The Boeing press release is reproduce below:

ST. LOUIS, June 18, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has completed integration and test of the U.S. Air Force's first Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, bringing unprecedented satellite communications services one step closer to the warfighter.

"One WGS satellite will provide more communications capacity than the entire Defense Satellite Communication System constellation that's currently on orbit," said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "The spacecraft will be a game-changer for the U.S. government and will revolutionize wideband SATCOM capabilities for the warfighter."

The performance of the first WGS satellite during testing has been excellent, and factory data suggests it will provide approximately 25 percent more communications capacity by the end of its 14-year mission life as a result of high performance margins within the communications payload.

Boeing is under contract for five WGS Block I and II spacecraft, with an option for a sixth. The first satellite has completed factory testing and rigorous mission assurance reviews, and is ready to ship to the launch site in Florida, where it will be launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket this August. The spacecraft will be placed into an environmentally-controlled container and transported to Cape Canaveral Air Station in an Air Force C-5 aircraft.

WGS will augment and eventually replace the Defense Satellite Communication System and the important Global Broadcast Service function currently provided by UHF Follow-On satellites. It also will reduce the government's reliance on commercial SATCOM services. WGS can operate at both X-band and Ka-band frequencies, and provide many important operational features that are not available from any other SATCOM system. For example, WGS has 18 reconfigurable coverage areas, the ability to broadcast or multicast transmissions into the various coverage areas, and connect users between any and all coverage areas, even when operating on different frequency bands.

Boeing has leveraged a wealth of experience and capability for WGS, including extensive investments in the 702 satellite platform, digital signal processors and phased array antennas. The second and third Block I satellites are progressing through factory testing and are expected to be launched in 2008.

Boeing also has been commissioned to build two WGS Block II satellites, WGS-4 and WGS-5. They will be similar to the first three Block I satellites, but will include a radio frequency bypass capability designed to support airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms requiring additional bandwidth. The RF bypass will support data rates of up to 311 megabits per second. The WGS satellites are all Boeing 702 models with13-kilowatts of power each. WGS-4 is expected to launch in early 2011.

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. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.



Source: Boeing press release

The WGS SV-1 satellite is shown here being encapsulated in its payload fairing prior to its transport to the Atlas V Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral. Once there, the satellite was mated to the Atlas V centaur booster in preparation for its scheduled Oct. 9 launch.



Source: United Launch Alliance

The US Air Force press release is reproduced below:

First Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Set to Launch

Release Number: 011007

10/4/2007 - Los Angeles Air Force Base -- The Air Force will bring unprecedented military satellite communications to the fold on Tuesday, Oct. 9 when the launch of an United Launch Alliance Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle will push the first Wideband Global Satellite off into space.

WGS will be the nation's next-generation wideband satellite communications system. It will augment and eventually replace the aging Defense Satellite Communication System which has been the Department of Defense's backbone for satellite communications over the last two decades.


The U.S. Air Force’s first Wideband Global Satellite Communications
(WGS) spacecraft was encapsulated Sept. 24 at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla. This encapsulation event is a significant milestone in Wideband's
launch process as it marks completion of Air Force Satellite Control Network
compatibility testing, propellant loading, and payload and bus functional
testing. The spacecraft is now ready to make the journey to Space Launch
Complex - 41 for mate with its Atlas V 421 launch vehicle. It is scheduled to
be launched on Oct. 9 at 8:22 PM EDT.

"I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the launch team in working the long hours that have brought us to where we are today," said Col. Donald Robbins, Commander, Wideband SATCOM Group, MILSATCOM Systems Wing.

"With the launch of WGS SV-1, we are on the cusp of providing more capacity than the entire on-orbit Defense Satellite Communications System constellation."

After the launch of SV-1, WGS SV-2 and SV-3 will round out the remainder of the Block I contract. Both satellites are currently progressing through their test programs and are slated for launch next year. The WGS Block II contract for SV-4 and SV-5 was awarded last year. The WGS system is being procured through a commercial contract with the Boeing Company by the Wideband SATCOM Group, part of the MILSATCOM Systems Wing.

The Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems including six wings and three groups responsible for GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control network, space based infrared systems, intercontinental ballistic missile systems and space situational awareness capabilities. SMC manages more than $60 billion in contracts, executes annual budgets of $10 billion and employs more than 6,800 people worldwide.

Launch Broadcast Satellite Information:
Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Coordinates

Oct. 9

Satellite: Intelsat G26C

Transponder 14
Satellite Orbital Position: 93 Degrees

Band: C-Band Analog

Bandwidth: 36 MHz

Downlink Frequency: 3980 MHz Horizontal

Test signals from 7:45 PM to 7:58 PM ET

Program begins at 7:58 PM to 10:30 PM ET

Source: US Air Force press release

Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., (Oct. 9, 2007) The Atlas V rocket carrying the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) spacecraft was successfully rolled out to Space Launch Complex-41 today in preparation for Wednesday’s launch. The launch window is 8:22 – 9:33 p.m. EDT for the Oct. 10 scheduled launch.

Source: United Launch Alliance

Cape Canaveral, Fla., (October 10, 2007) - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket successfully launched the Air Force’s Wideband Global SATCOM satellite into orbit at 8:22 p.m., EDT, today. Blasting off from Space Launch Complex 41, it marked the third Atlas V EELV launch this year and eighth overall launch for ULA in 2007. This launch also comes just three weeks after the service celebrated its 60th anniversary and four months after the Atlas rocket’s 50th anniversary of its first launch. The WGS system will significantly increase the communications capabilities for troops in the field.

"As America celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Air Force, today’s launch of the WGS satellite is a fitting tribute," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president of Atlas programs. "ULA is proud of its continuing role of providing reliable and cost effective assured access to space for the Air Force’s critical missions."

The mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 421 configuration, which uses a single common core booster powered by the RD-180 engine and two solid rocket motors. This Atlas V, designated AV-011, marked the 204th RD-180 firing. The 10 previous Atlas V launches included two missions for NASA, one for the National Reconnaissance Office, one for the United States Air Force and six for commercial customers.

"The men and women of the ULA team are honored to be continuing the legacy and accomplishments of the Atlas and Thor/Delta teams that first launched these systems in the 1950s," Sponnick said. “Atlas 4A was the first Atlas launch and it occurred June 11, 1957. It launched from Space Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, just seven miles from SLC-41, where our Atlas V vehicles are launched today."

Formed in 2006, ULA combines the successful Atlas and Delta expendable launch vehicle programs offering cost-effective and reliable launch services to U.S. government customers, including the Department of Defense, NASA, and the NRO, and other commercial organizations.

ULA's next launch, currently scheduled for Oct. 17, is a Delta II carrying the GPS IIR-17 satellite for the Air Force from Space Launch Complex 17A here at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a launch window of 8:23-8:38 a.m.

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

For more information on the ULA joint venture call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).

Source: United Launch Alliance

The US Air Force press release is reproduced below:

USAF launches first of next generation communications satellites

Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

10/11/2007 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force launched the first of a next generation of military communications satellites from here Oct. 10 at 8:22 p.m. (EDT), when a United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster carried a Wideband Global SATCOM satellite into space.

WGS is the nation's next-generation wideband satellite communications system. The Oct. 10 launch begins the process of augmenting and eventually replacing the aging Defense Satellite Communications System which has been the Department of Defense's backbone for satellite communications for the last two decades.


AF launches WGS
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The Air Force launched the first
of a new generation of military communications satellites, the Wideband Global
SATCOM, aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle Oct. 10. (courtesy photo)

""I'm extremely pleased with (the) successful launch and the superb performance of the entire team that made it happen," said Col. Donald Robbins, commander, Wideband SATCOM Group MILSATCOM Systems Wing. "This launch campaign presented unique challenges that were overcome with a lot of hard work, attention to detail and a tremendous team effort between our WGS customer, the Boeing Company, the 45th Space Wing, the Aerospace Corporation, and the Launch and Range Systems Wing. I am very proud of the team and its achievement."

Once the satellite becomes operational, it will be the DoD's highest capacity communications satellite and provide critical effects for U.S. and allied warfighters.

"This mission proves that control of the battlefield really does begin here," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander. "Congratulations to the entire government/industry launch team."

This mission also marked the 11th flight of an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, and extends the string of consecutive successful operational launches to 52 for Air Force Space Command.

Source: US Air Force press release

The Boeing press release is reproduce below:

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has acquired signals from the first Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, a new military spacecraft that will help meet the growing demand for military satellite communications by providing a 10-fold increase in telecommunications capacity over the satellite it will replace.

The satellite -- the first of five that Boeing is building for the U.S. Air Force -- was successfully launched at 8:22 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 10 by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Fla. Following a nominal 45-minute flight, the launch vehicle's upper stage deployed the spacecraft, and a ground station in Dongara, Australia received the satellite's first signals 47 minutes later at 9:09 p.m. Eastern. Boeing controllers in El Segundo, Calif., confirmed that the satellite is healthy.

"This successful launch and spacecraft acquisition represents the culmination of tremendous teamwork by our U.S. Air Force customer, The Aerospace Corporation and The Boeing Company," said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "The military's demand for communications capabilities is increasing exponentially, and this WGS satellite, along with the others in the series, will provide critical communications services to the warfighters who will depend on its services."

Following a series of orbital maneuvers and in-orbit testing, the satellite is expected to begin Air Force service during the first quarter of 2008

The WGS series of satellites will augment and eventually replace the Defense Satellite Communication System constellation as well as the Global Broadcast Service function currently provided by the U.S. Navy's Ultra High Frequency Follow-On satellites, which were built by Boeing. It also will reduce the U.S. government's reliance on commercial satellite communications services.

WGS is a Boeing 702 spacecraft that operates at both X-band and Ka-band frequencies, and provides many important operational features that are not available from any other MILSATCOM system. For example, WGS has 18 reconfigurable coverage areas and the ability to broadcast or multicast transmissions into the various coverage areas and connect users between any and all coverage areas even when operating on different frequency bands.

Boeing is the leading provider of government and commercial communications satellites. Boeing designs and manufactures the Wideband Global SATCOM satellites at its satellite factory in El Segundo, Calif.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems iis one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.



Source: Boeing press release

The US Air Force press release is reproduced below:

3rd SOPS, Boeing take over WGS early-orbit support

by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

10/12/2007 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Airmen with the 3rd Space Operations Squadron and contractors with Boeing Corporation took over early-orbit operations on Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Vehicle 1 from a Boeing facility in El Segundo, Calif., approximately 30 minutes after it launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Oct. 10.

The teaming gives 3rd SOPS Airmen an opportunity to become acquainted with WGS during its initial stages, said 50th Operations Group commander Col. Clinton Crosie.


CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. --
The Air Force launched the first of a new generation
of military communications satellites, the Wideband
Global SATCOM, aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle
Oct. 10.
(Photo courtesy of United Launch Alliance )

"This is a better way of doing business," Colonel Crosier said. "It won't be a cold handoff. When we do the handover ... we'll have a team that has hands-on experience working with the WGS satellite on orbit." Boeing will transfer Satellite Control Authority to 3rd SOPS in about 90 days after completing a rigorous series of tests on WGS SV-1's systems.

SV-1's final orbit will be in the geosynchronous belt, approximately 23,000 miles above the Earth. Its orbit shortly after launch was highly elliptical, with a closest approach of less than 250 miles and an apogee of more than 36,000 miles. Boeing and 3rd SOPS will fire maneuvering thrusters on the satellite over the next two weeks to nudge it into a circular orbit, said 3rd SOPS' Maj. Tracy Patton.

Once the satellite is in its proper orbit, operators will test the satellite's functionality to ensure it suffered no damage through the vibration and G-forces of liftoff.

WGS SV-1 launched at 8:22 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time from Space Launch Complex 41 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. It the first in a planned constellation of six $300-million vehicles, each of which will have communications capabilities equal to 12 Defense Satellite Communications System-III satellites. WGS is the successor to DSCS-III, recapitalizing a fleet whose first satellite launched Oct. 30, 1982.

Airmen with 3rd SOPS will control the WGS platform, according to a ULA SV-1 fact sheet. Soldiers at four Army wideband satellite operations centers will conduct payload command and control.

The WGS SV-1 mission is the 11th flight of an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS and extends Air Force Space Command's string of consecutive successful launches to 52.

The Air Force originally planned to deploy five WGS satellites but expanded the program to six through an agreement with the Australian Defence Force. The $707-million partnership encompasses the sixth satellite, associated ground infrastructure and upkeep, according to a report in the Oct. 4 Wall Street Journal.

Source: US Air Force press release