[10-11-07 – Satellite Today]  Boeing has acquired signals from the first Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite, the company announced Oct. 11.

The satellite, one of five Boeing is building for the U.S. Air Force, is a military spacecraft intended to help meet the growing demand for military satellite communications. It will provide 10 times the increase in capacity over the current Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) satellites.

The satellite was launched Oct. 10 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Fla. The spacecraft is expected to begin Air Force service during the first quarter of 2008 after a series of orbital maneuvers and in-orbit testing.

"This successful launch and spacecraft acquisition represents the culmination of tremendous teamwork by our U.S. Air Force customer, The Aerospace Corporation and The Boeing Company," said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "The military’s demand for communications capabilities is increasing exponentially, and this WGS satellite, along with the others in the series, will provide critical communications services to the warfighters who will depend on its services."