US Space Force Receives Newest Orbital Asset

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The United States Space Operations Command has recently received its latest orbital asset. The United States Space Force has recently received its fifth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite at the beginning of February.

“This was very much a team effort from our industry partners and dedicated Government professionals,” said the senior materiel leader for the Space Production Corps’ Geosynchronous Orbit Division in a statement, Colonel John Dukes. “With their focus on mission success, this major milestone was accomplished. AEHF satellites play a critical role for the warfighter and the defense of our nation. Space is fundamental to our way of life, our economy relies on space and this reliance will continue to grow.”

The Advanced Extremely High-Frequency satellite was built by Lockheed Martin. The fifth AEHF satellite, AEHF-5, was launched last August on a United Launch Alliance Atlas-V rocket, according to C4isrnet.com.

The AEHF satellites are intended to replace the military’s MILSTAR satellite constellation. The new satellites are intended to provide protected, anti-jamming satellite communications to American and allied military assets. Allied nations that will benefit from the new satellite include Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. One AEHF satellite has more than three times the capacity of the entire MILSTAR constellation. The AEHF satellite constellation is expected to provide about 10 times more coverage.

Furthermore, another Advanced Extremely High-Frequency satellite is expected to join the service’s constellation. The sixth and final Advanced Extremely High-Frequency satellite is scheduled to launch this upcoming March on an Atlas V rocket. The rocket is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Florida.