The fourth of six Wideband Global SATCOM satellites for the US and Australian militaries has passed a milestone integration test in preparation for its launch later this year.
The satellite, known as WGS-4, was successfully mated with its Boeing 702 ‘bus’ recently prior to commencing rigorous environmental testing, including vibration and thermal-vacuum tests.
The ADF signed onto the WGS program in October 2007 by funding the sixth satellite in the constellation to the tune of $927 million, and in return will gain access to all six satellites to bolster its global communications capabilities.
