 Artist's impression of a WGS-5 satellite in orbit | |
| Names | WGS-5 WGS SV-5 Wideband Global SATCOM-5 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Military communications |
| Operator | United States Air Force /United States Space Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2013-024A |
| SATCATno. | 39168 |
| Website | https://www.spaceforce.mil/ |
| Mission duration | 14 years (planned) 11 years, 9 months and 9 days(in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | WGS-5 |
| Spacecraft type | WGS Block II |
| Bus | BSS-702HP |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Satellite Systems |
| Launch mass | 5,987 kg (13,199 lb)[1] |
| Dry mass | 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) |
| Power | 11kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 May 2013, 00:27UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV M+ (5,4) (s/n D362) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral,SLC-37B |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 52.5° West (Contiguous United States) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | X-band andKa-band |
| Frequency | 7.2/8.4GHz (X-band) 30/20 GHz (Ka-band) |
 | |
USA-243, also known asWGS-5, is a United States militarycommunications satellite. It was the fifth satellite to be launched as part of theWideband Global SATCOM program[2] and the second Block II satellite.[3]
The WGS system is a system of military communications satellites that use cost-effective methods and technological advances in the communications satellite industry. The WGS system is composed of three principal segments: Space Segment (satellites), Control Segment (operators), and Terminal Segment (users). Each WGS satellite provides service in multiple frequency bands, with the ability to cross-band between the two frequencies on board the satellite. WGS augments other satellites.
In early 2001, a satellite communications industry team led byBoeing Satellite Systems was selected to develop the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite (WGS) system as a successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) series of communications satellites. It is intended to support the U.S. Armed Forces with greater capabilities than those provided by other systems. In March 2007, the acronym WGS was changed to Wideband Global SATCOM.
A major part of the U.S. military's global satellite communications, the Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite (WGS) system helps the U.S. Military through the operation of the control systems and provides long haul communications for the Department of Defense.
WGS-5 is based on theBSS-702HPsatellite bus. It has a mass of 5,987 kg (13,199 lb)[1] and a design life of fourteen years.[4] Its twosolar panels generate upwards of 11kW of power.[4] The satellite is equipped withX-band andKa-bandtransponders. A R-4D bi-propellantrocket motor and fourXIPS-25ion engines provide propulsion for maneuvering.
WGS-5 was launched by theUnited Launch Alliance on aDelta IV M+ (5,4)launch vehicle, named Delta 362, from theSpace Launch Complex (SLC-37B) at theCape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) at 00:27UTC on 25 May 2013. The satellite was placed into asupersynchronous transfer orbit. From there, the satellite was maneuvered intogeostationary orbit.[5]
A launch attempt 24 hours before was aborted due to a problem with a helium pressurization line.[3] The launch was successful.[6]
