Mobile User Objective System

Mobile User Objective System ( MUOS ) is a satellite communication system of the U.S. Navy, which replaces the existing UFO system from 2012. MUOS to increase tenfold the data transmission capacity compared to its predecessor.

General

A total of five of these satellites are procured. The first two satellites were launched on 24 February 2012, and July 19, 2013 each with a rocket of an Atlas V (551 ) from Cape Canaveral. There are options for three additional satellites. The program was delayed from an originally planned for 2008, first start ever. The cost of the first two satellites and ground control facilities amounted to 2.1 billion U.S. dollars. If the additional options are exercised for an additional three satellites, the order volume will amount to a total of 3.26 billion U.S. dollars.

The satellites operate in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and are meant to cover almost the entire surface of the earth.

Structure of the satellite

The satellites are based on the commercial satellite bus A2100 Lockheed Martin Space Systems. They have a large 18.7 m deployable main antenna and a smaller, also deployable antenna, both of which are built by Harris Corporation. Other subcontractors are Boeing, which provide a UHF payload to make a compatibility with the older UFO system as well as General Dynamics and Ericsson for the soil components.

The frequency range in which the satellites are working, is between 300 MHz and 3 GHz and allow the military units to communicate using mobile devices to each other.

Starts

All take-offs will take place from Cape Canaveral.

Controversy

2013 has been stopped temporarily due to demonstrations against potential health risks and environmental damage caused by radio waves of the construction of the ground station in Niscemi ( Sicily). A scientific study ' refers to serious risks to people and the environment, prohibit the implementation in densely populated areas such as the one at Niscemi '. The other three ground stations were completed in 2012 and 2013. The system is only considered fully functional if all four ground stations of the U.S. Navy have been handed over.