Lockheed Martin-built Titan IV B and Milstar II Satellite Combine for a Successful U.S. Air Force Launch
First Space Mission of the New Year from Cape Canaveral
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., January 15th, 2002 -- With a thunderous roar, a Titan IV B rocket opened a new year of space missions from this seaside launch complex as it lifted off with a Milstar II military communications satellite on board. Liftoff occurred at 7:30 p.m. with successful deployment of the satellite approximately 6-1/2 hours later. The launch vehicle and satellite were built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company at its operations in Denver, Colo., and Sunnyvale, Calif. 'A successful mission that demonstrates both our launch vehicle and satellite capabilities is a great way to start off the new year,' said Albert E. Smith, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. 'We are proud of two years straight of 100 per cent Mission Success in our space launch programs, and we intend to carry on that record this year for our many important customers, both military and commercial.'
The Milstar II satellite is the Defense Department's most technologically advanced telecommunications satellite. It carries the Medium Data Rate (MDR) payload built by Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo, Calif., which can process data at speeds of 1.5 megabits per second. TRW Space & Electronics of Redondo Beach, Calif., provides the Low Data Rate payload. This Milstar II spacecraft, which will join existing Milstar I and Milstar II satellites already on orbit, provides added security through the use of specially designed antennas and faster data-rate transmissions for all users.
This was the first of four launches planned this year on the Titan IV B, the nation's most powerful expendable launch vehicle. Titan IV B with its Centaur upper stage is capable of boosting payloads weighing 47,800 pounds into low-Earth orbit or more than 12,700 pounds into geosynchronous orbit.
'The Titan team remains committed to the mission of the U.S. Air Force in providing spacelift for our nation's most critical payloads,' said G. Thomas Marsh, president, Lockheed Martin Astronautics Operations. 'This is the first flight of what will be a busy year for our launch vehicle team.'
Today's Titan IV B launch was the 34th overall including 23 from Cape Canaveral and 11 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Astronautics Operations in Denver, Colo., is under contract to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to complete the launch of 39 vehicles. The contract extends through 2003. As prime contractor and systems integrator, the company builds the first and second stages and the Centaur upper stage used on this mission and provides overall program management and launch services.
Other members of the Titan IV contractor team and their responsibilities include: GenCorp Aerojet Propulsion Division, Sacramento, Calif., liquid rocket engines; Alliant Techsystems, Magna, Utah, solid rocket motor upgrade; The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, Calif., payload fairing; Honeywell Space Systems, Clearwater, Fla., advanced guidance; and Pratt & Whitney, West Palm Beach, Fla., Centaur upper stage RL10 engines.
The Milstar spacecraft launched today is one of several satellites that Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Operations is building for the U.S. Air Force as prime contractor. The Milstar team is led by the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
Milstar is used for communications among ships, submarines and land-based Naval stations via Navy Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communications Program terminals. The system provides communications networks to Army units via the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminals mounted on vehicles, and to individual troops and small units from the Single Channel Anti-Jam Man-Portable terminals. For the Air Force, the Milstar system provides links for Air Force Command Post Terminals.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a highly diversified global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses span space and telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems integration. Lockheed Martin had 2000 sales surpassing $25 billion.
Julie Andrews, Lockheed Martin
Phone: (321)853-1567
Pager: (800)722-7717
julie.c.andrews@lmco.com
Steve Tatum, Lockheed Martin
Phone: (408)742-6688
Pager: (888)916-2912
stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
George Torres, Boeing Satellite Systems
Phone: (310)364-5777
george.j.torres@boeing.com
Jack Pritchett, TRW
Phone: (310)812-5227
jack.pritchett@trw.com
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