Mission
Milstar provides the President, Secretary of Defense and the U.S. armed forces with assured, survivable satellite communications (SATCOM) with low probability of interception and detection, and is designed to operate through contested environments.
Background
The objective of the Milstar program was to create a global, secure, nuclear-survivable, space-based communication system (considered a top national priority during the Reagan Administration in the 1980s). Milstar was designed to perform all communication processing and network routing onboard, thus eliminating the need for vulnerable land-based relay stations and reducing the chances of communications being intercepted on the ground.
Features
The first two satellites carry a low data rate (LDR) payload. The LDR payload can transmit data over 192 channels in the range. Satellite-to-satellite crosslinks provide communications, data exchange and global coverage. The other satellites carry both LDR and medium data rate (MDR) payloads. The payloads increased data over 32 channels. The higher data rates provide the user the ability to transmit large amounts of data in a short period of time. The Milstar satellites provide continuous 24-hour coverage to the warfighter. The follow-on to Milstar, Advanced EHF (AEHF) program augments Milstar.
A key feature of the Milstar system is the use of interoperable terminals by the warfighters of the U.S. Armed Forces. For example, sea-based terminals can be used to upload data in real time onto cruise missiles carried aboard submarines and guided missile destroyers. Land-based terminals provide communications and data exchange for the mobile, ground-based warfighter. Primary command and control of the Milstar constellation is accomplished through a highly survivable mission control segment with both fixed and mobile constellation control stations. Another method of command and control uses the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN).
General Characteristics
Primary function: Survivable and protected communications
Payload: LDR, MDR, and UHF
Antennas: Crosslink: Earth Coverage (Uplinks & Downlinks), Agile Beams, Spot Beams
Launches
Milstar:
Feb. 7, 1994
Nov. 7, 1995
Feb. 27, 2001
Jan. 15, 2002
Apr. 8, 2003
Point of Contact: Air Force Space Command Public Affairs Office; 150 Vandenberg St., Suite 1105; Peterson AFB, Colo., 80914-4500; DSN 692-3731 or (719) 554-3731
(Current as of July 2019)