UHF Follow-On satellite
| Artist's impression of a UHF Follow-On satellite in orbit | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Operator | United States Space Force |
| Applications | Military communications |
| Specifications | |
| Bus | HS-601 |
| Launch mass | 2,844kg (6,270lb) |
| Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
| Design life | 14 years (planned) |
| Production | |
| Status | Active |
| Built | 11 |
| Launched | 11 |
| Lost | 1 |
| Maiden launch | 25 March 1993 |
| Last launch | 18 December 2003 |
Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) satellite system is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) program sponsored and operated by the United States Space Force to provide communications for airborne, ship, submarine and ground forces. The UFO constellation replaced the U.S. DoD Fleet Satellite Communications System (FLTSATCOM) constellation and consisted of eleven satellites. The ground terminal segment consists of equipment and resident personnel at existing satellite communication stations. The satellites are controlled by the 10th Space Operations Squadron (Space Delta 8) located at the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California.
Satellite description
[edit ]The Ultra high frequency (UHF) satellites primarily served tactical users. UFO provided almost twice as many channels as FLTSATCOM and has about 10% more power per channel. THe satellites were built by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (formerly Hughes Space and Communications Company) and were based on the 601 series of communications satellites.[1]
The Extremely high frequency (EHF) package on satellites four through eleven have an Earth coverage beam and a steerable five-degree spot beam that enhances its tactical use. The EHF capability also allows the UFO network to connect to the strategic Milstar system. Satellites eight, nine and ten also carry the Global Broadcast Service antennas that operate in the Ka-band. The Atlas was the launch vehicle of choice; however, space shuttle compatibility existed.[2] The UFO bus and payload weigh 2,844 kg (6,270 lb).[3] The solar panels spans 18.4 m (60 ft) and produces 2,500 watts at the end of the planned 14-year lifetime. The UHF system supports stationary and mobile users including manportable, ships, submarines, aircraft and other mobile terminals. The UFO Follow-On system is scheduled for replacement by the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS).[4]
Block Upgrades
[edit ]Block 1 satellites had UHF and SHF communications. Block 2 satellites, starting with UHF 4, added extremely high frequency package with 11 channels. Block 3 satellites replaced the SFH communications with Ka-band transponders.[5] Block 4 satellite incorporated a digital UHF receiver and two additional UHF channels.[6]
Launch
[edit ]First launch of the UFO took place on 25 March 1993, with constellation completion dependent on replacement needs for the aging FLTSATCOM constellation.[7]
Table of Satellites
[edit ]| Launch | Designation | COSPAR ID | Launch Vehicle | Launch Date | Block | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UHF F/O 1 | 1993-015A | Atlas 1 | 1993年03月25日 | 1 | Placed in unusable orbit[3] |
| 2 | UHF F/O 2 | 1993-056A | Atlas 1 | 1993年09月03日[8] | 1 | |
| 3 | UHF F/O 3 | 1994-035A | Atlas 1[9] | 1994年06月24日 | 1 | |
| 4 | UHF F/O 4 | 1995-003A | Atlas 2[10] | 1995年01月29日 | 2 | |
| 5 | UHF F/O 5 | 1995-027A | Atlas 2 | 1995年05月31日 | 2 | |
| 6 | UHF F/O 6 | 1995-057A | Atlas 2 | 1995年10月22日 | 2 | |
| 7 | UHF F/O 7 | 1996-042A | Atlas 2 | 1996年07月25日 | 2 | |
| 8 | UHF F/O 8 | 1998-016A | Atlas 2[11] | 1998年03月16日 | 3 | |
| 9 | UHF F/O 9 | 1998-058A | Atlas 2A | 1998年10月20日 | 3 | |
| 10 | UHF F/O 10 | 1999-063A | Atlas 2A | 1998年11月23日 | 3 | |
| 11 | UHF F/O 11 | 2003-057A | Atlas 3B-SEC[6] | 2003年12月18日 | 4 |
References
[edit ]- ↑ "UFO System". Boeing. Archived from the original on 28 February 2007.
- ↑ Perkins, Jr., Clifton E. (September 1991). "A Comparison of the UHF Follow-On and MILSTAR Satellite Communications Systems" (PDF). dtic.mil. p. 7. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- 1 2 "Display: UFO-1 1993-015A". NASA. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021. [画像:Public Domain] This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
- ↑ Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation-2 Report (PDF) (Report). dtic.mil. June 2016. p. iii. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ↑ "Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Follow-on (UFO)". GlobalSecurity.org. 12 July 1999. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- 1 2 "UFO 11 (UHF-FO Block 4)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ "UFO Quicklook". space.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ "UFO 2". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ↑ "UFO 1, 2, 3 (UHF-FO Block 1)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ "UFO 4, 5, 6, 7 (UHF-FO Block 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ "UFO 8, 9, 10 (UHF-FO Block 3)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
External links
[edit ]- GlobalSecurity.org: MUOS system