[Satellite Today 02-11-09] The second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military communications satellite is now undergoing thermal vacuum testing, Lockheed Martin said Feb. 9. The testing is taking place at Lockheed’s Sunnyvale, Calif. Facilities.
    The U.S. Air Force’s Advanced EHF system will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.
Thermal vacuum testing will verify Advanced EHF spacecraft functionality and performance in a vacuum environment where the satellite is stressed at the extreme hot and cold temperatures it will experience in space throughout its 14-year design life.
Following completion of spacecraft thermal vacuum testing, the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, the Advanced EHF prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, the payload supplier, will perform environmental test data analysis and remaining integration and test activities necessary to prepare the vehicle for flight. The spacecraft is planned for delivery to the Air Force in 2011 in preparation for launch aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.