WGS-11+

WGS-11+, or Wideband Global SATCOM 11+, is a United States military communications satellite to be operated by the United States Space Force as part of the Wideband Global SATCOM Program. Scheduled for 2024, it is the eleventh WGS satellite and is expected to be in geostationary orbit. WGS-11+ was acquired by the United States Air Force.[2]

WGS-11+
Artist’s rendering of WGS-11+
NamesWGS SV-11
Wideband Global SATCOM-11
Mission typeMilitary communications
OperatorUnited States Air Force / United States Space Force
Websitehttps://www.spaceforce.mil/
Mission duration14 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftWGS-11+
Spacecraft typeWGS Block II Follow-On
BusBSS-702X
ManufacturerBoeing Satellite Systems
Launch mass5,987 kg (13,199 lb)
Dry mass3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
Power11 kW
Start of mission
Launch date2024 (planned)[1]
RocketVulcan Centaur
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-41
ContractorULA
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeGeostationary orbit
 

Overview

The WGS system is composed of three principal segments: the Space Segment (Satellite), the Control Segment (operators), and the Terminal Segment (users). Each WGS satellite provides service in multiple frequency bands, with the ability to cross-band between the two frequencies on the satellite. WGS augments other satellites.[3]

In early 2001, a satellite communications industry team led by Boeing Satellite Systems was selected to develop the Wideband Gap filler Satellite (WGS) system as a successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) series of communications satellites. This satellite communications system is intended to support the warfighter. In March 2007, the acronym WGS changed to Wideband Global SATCOM.[2]

One WGS satellite provides more SATCOM capacity than the legacy Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) constellation.[3]

Satellite Description

In March 2018, U.S. Congress added US $605 million of funds for two more satellites, WGS-11 and WGS-12. This resulted in the order of WGS-11+ in April 2019 for a 2023 launch. This satellite will be based on the BSS-702X variant of Boeing's commercial 702 satellite line, providing improved signal power and bandwidth efficiency compared to earlier WGS satellites.[2] The U.S. Space Force will launch the craft and will perform the command-and-control functions during its 14-year life expectancy.[2] Built by Boeing Satellite Systems, WGS-11+ is based on the BSS-702X satellite bus. It has a mass at launch of 5,987 kg (13,199 lb) and is expected to operate for fourteen years. The spacecraft is equipped with two solar panels to generate power for its communications payload, which consists of cross-band X-band and Ka-band transponders. Propulsion will be provided by an R-4D-15 apogee motor, with four XIPS-25 ion engines for station keeping.[2]

Launch

WGS-11+ will launch in 2024 on a Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral SLC-41.[1]

References
  1. @USSF_SSC (27 May 2022). "SSC ordered 8 National Security Space Launch missions from our industry partners ULA & SpaceX for launch in 2024 for #SpaceForce" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  2. "WGS 11". Gunter's Space Page. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. "Fact Sheets: Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite". United States Space Force. October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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