Text Fwd: Military communications satellite successfully launched

* Informed in StopNATO*
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123142879
Air Force Link
American Forces Press Service
April 4, 2009

Military communications satellite successfully launched

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - An Air Force team successfully launched a new-generation military communication satellite from here April 3 at 8:31 p.m. (EDT) when an Atlas V rocket carried a Wideband Global Satellite Communication satellite into space.

These satellites are designed to provide high-capacity communications to U.S. military forces. It will augment and eventually replace the Defense Satellite Communication System. The satellite provides a giant leap in communications bandwidth and technology.

"We're helping to give the most versatile and sophisticated technology to our warfighters," said Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton Jr., 45th Space Wing commander. "Congratulations to the entire team for their hard work and dedication to the mission."

"We only have one chance to get it right," said Capt. Jeffrey Fisher, Wideband Global SATCOM-2 mission lead. "In this profession you have to be meticulous to detail and patient to ensure mission success."

The Atlas V family of Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles has achieved 100 percent mission success in launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

This mission marked the 14th flight of an Atlas V rocket from here and the third launch this year from Cape Canaveral AFS.
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