CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – United Launch Alliance (ULA) is getting ready to launch the Mobile User Objective System-1 or MUOS-1 as it is more commonly known. Liftoff is currently slated to occur on Feb. 16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) in Florida. The launch window will open at 5: 46 p.m. and extend through 6:30 p.m. EST.
On Feb. 6, the satellite, safely cocooned in its fairing, was moved to the Vertical Integration Facility or VIF. This structure is adjacent to SLC-41 and is where the payload was mated to the launch vehicle. With the satellite perched atop the rocket, all major milestones on the road to launch have been completed.
MUOS-1 is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve communications for the U.S. military on the move. Leveraging 3G mobile communications technology, MUOS will provide military with increased communications capabilities.
