[Satellite TODAY 07-12-10] The German military’s ComsatBw-2 communications satellite is operational and has been handed over by manufacturer Astrium after completing in-orbit testing, Astrium announced July 9.
     ComsatBw-2, launched by Arianespace in May, completed a series of in-orbit tests covering the platform, payload and components of the satellite’s secure control system. The satellite is the second spacecraft of the German military’s SatcomBw Step 2 program, which aims to provide voice, data and multimedia applications to German military personnel serving in foreign arenas through an independent infrastructure.
     “Now that the test phase for the second satellite has been concluded successfully, we can assert that the satellite and all its components fulfill all specifications. The contractor MilSat Services, in cooperation with Astrium, supplied us with a product that so far fits the high quality requirements of a space program and will enable both satellites to successfully fulfill their mission for the next 15 years,” Wolfgang Stolp, president of the Germany military’s federal office of information management and technology, said in a statement.
     The entire system, including ground user stations, is scheduled for entry into operational service by the end of 2011.