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Air Force launches new military satellite

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Air Force successfully launched a next-generation military communications satellite on Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station that should begin serving troops this summer.

A 218-foot United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket blasted off on time at 7:38 p.m. and rose into a clear, star-filled sky as a brilliant white streak before receding to a twinkle.

The satellite, which should become operational this summer, is expected to improve communications with military drones in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The fourth in the Defense Department’s highest capacity line of communications satellites, called the Wideband Global SATCOM program, separated from the rocket’s upper stage about 40 minutes after liftoff and prompted applause from the launch team.

The $464 million, Boeing Co.-built satellite will continue to adjust its orbit and undergo tests for months before being positioned 22,300 miles above the Indian Ocean.

Each of the program’s spacecraft can route 10 times more data than the satellites they are gradually replacing, but the new one includes an additional upgrade.

The extra bandwidth will help transmit high-resolution video and images collected by unmanned aerial vehicles.

The launch was the first of what is expected to be a busy schedule of missions from the Cape this year. Up next: another military communications satellite is targeting a Feb. 16 launch on ULA’s Atlas V rocket.