USA-298
 Artist's impression of an AEHF-6 satellite | |
| Names | AEHF-6 Advanced Extremely High Frequency-6 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Military communications |
| Operator | United States Space Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2020-022B |
| SATCATno. | 45465 |
| Website | https://www.spaceforce.mil/ |
| Mission duration | 14 years (planned) 4 years, 3 months and 16 days(in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | AEHF-5 |
| Bus | A2100M |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin Space |
| Launch mass | 6,168 kg (13,598 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 March 2020, 20:18:00UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V551 (AV-086) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral,SLC-41 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
USA-298,also known asAdvanced Extremely High Frequency 6orAEHF-6,is a militarycommunications satelliteoperated by theUnited States Space Force(USSF). It is the sixth of six satellite to be launched as part of theAdvanced Extremely High Frequencyprogram, which replaced the earlierMilstarsystem.[1]
Satellite description[edit]
The USA-298 satellite was constructed byLockheed Martin Space,and is based on theA2100satellite bus.The satellite has a mass of 6,168 kg (13,598 lb) and a design life of 14 years.[2]It will be used to providesuper high frequency(SHF) andextremely high frequency(EHF) communications for theUnited States Armed Forces,as well as those of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia.[2]
Launch[edit]
USA-298 was launched byUnited Launch Alliance,aboard anAtlas V551 flying fromSLC-41at theCape Canaveral Air Force Station(CCAFS). The launch occurred at 20:18:00UTCon 26 March 2020,[3]placing the satellite into ageostationary transfer orbit(GTO) with aperigeeof 12,543 km (7,794 mi), anapogeeof 30,672 km (19,059 mi), and 9.95°inclination.[4]The satellite was successfully deployed in this orbit about five and a half hours after launch.
TDO-2 satellite[edit]
Alongside AEHF-6, theU.S. Air ForceSpace and Missile Systems Centerlaunched an experimental 12Ucubesatknown as TDO-2 (Technology Demonstration Orbiter). The satellite was deployed, after 30 minutes in the flight,[5]prior to AEHF-6, from a dispenser on the aft of theCentaurupper stage into an orbit with a perigee of 200 km (120 mi) and an apogee of 35,459 km (22,033 mi).[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Atlas V - AEHF-6".United Launch Alliance. 6 April 2020.Retrieved18 May2021.
- ^ab"AEHF 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6".Gunter's Space Page. 4 November 2020.Retrieved18 May2021.
- ^"ULA launches final AEHF satellite atop Atlas V".SpaceFlight Insider. 26 March 2020.Retrieved18 May2021.
- ^"AEHF-6 Mission Overview".United Launch Alliance.Retrieved18 May2021.
- ^"Final AEHF satellite mated to Atlas 5 launcher at Cape Canaveral".Spaceflight Now. 12 March 2020.Retrieved18 May2021.
- ^"TDO 1, 2, 3, 4".Gunter's Space Page. 16 May 2021.Retrieved18 May2021.
