The Air Force anticipates at least a seven month delay in the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite reaching its full operational capability after problems with the satellite's propulsion system, according to a service official.

Air Force officials are making progress toward a spring 2011 launch of the first Space-Based Infrared System geosynchronous orbit spacecraft but have not targeted a specific date, according to a senior service official.

Despite claims to the contrary on previous Pentagon reprogramming requests, the first launch of a Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite is scheduled for the summer of 2011, not December of that year, and Congress' recent denial of funds to deal with technical issues will not affect that launch date, a Navy spokesman said last week.

The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $182 million contract for the advanced procurement of Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite 7, according to Boeing officials.

The Air Force expects to launch its two new Wideband Global Satellite Communication satellites toward the middle of the decade, according to an Air Force official.

After numerous delays, Air Force officials have scheduled the Atlas V-propelled launch of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite for next week.

The Defense Department's acquisition directorate is poised to bless the start of production for the next phase of a major Pentagon satellite program.

Air Force officials delayed the Atlas V-propelled launch of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite for 10 days after a newly designed separation nut failed testing, according to a service spokeswoman.

The two new satellites that were added to the Wideband Global SATCOM program will have the same contract structure and system design as some of the other satellites already in the system, according to an Air Force spokeswoman.

Defense Department officials are concerned that the retirement of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the White House's cancellation of the Constellation Program will have a major impact on the space industrial base, according to a Pentagon report.

Air Force officials have delayed the launch of the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite after a test anomaly was discovered on a Minotaur IV launch vehicle during testing, according to a service officials.

The delays and technical problems that have plagued the Navy's Mobile User Objective System next-generation ultra-high-frequency satellites could have a significant impact on the service's future radio network, an officer familiar with the efforts said last week.

The Defense Department wants to reprogram nearly $25 million to deal with technical issues encountered with the Mobile User Objective System next-generation ultra-high-frequency satellite and keep the system on track for a December 2011 launch date, three months later than expected.

Defense Department officials are confident that the cancellation of the Transformational Satellite Communications System will only have a minimal impact on the space industrial base, according to a recently released Pentagon report.

Air Force officials have filed a reprogramming request for a series of new satellite communication terminals that would shift $71.3 million from the program to other initiatives, according to a budget document.

A top Senate panel is recommending a $20 million increase for the Operationally Responsive Space program to help improve responsive capabilities.

A top Senate panel has recommended a $225.5 million cut to the coffers of an Air Force satellite program in fiscal year 2011 because the Pentagon has not created a new plan for restructuring the initiative, according to a report on the defense authorization bill.

House lawmakers are recommending a $300 million cut for a satellite program in fiscal year 2011 because Defense Department officials have not outlined a plan for the project, according to legislative documents.

Military officials need to re-establish their relationship with industry to shore up a disconnect that threatens the viability of the space industrial base, a Defense Department official said this week.

An upcoming analysis of alternatives will examine enhancing two satellite constellations to close the capability gap created by the cancellation of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT), according to Air Force Space Command officials.