At 8:40 p.m. EDT Oct. 19, a Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT]-built Atlas 2A rocket soared into space from Pad 36A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Less than 30 minutes later, successful payload separation occurred when the Defense Satellite Communications System 3 (DSCS 3) bird was deployed.

The spacecraft is the second of four super high-frequency communications satellites to feature service life enhancement program (SLEP) upgrades. These upgrades will provide improved uninterrupted secure voice and high data rate communications to its DoD national security users.

“This third-generation DSCS 3 SLEP satellite will provide a robust anti-jam, nuclear-hardened capability that supports the DoD’s worldwide communication requirements,” said Julie Satler, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space DSCS program manager. “It will also provide uninterrupted high-data rate communications to support globally distributed fixed and mobile DoD users, the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service and the White House Communications Agency.”