(U) Polar Adjunct I

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U)  The Polar Adjunct I satellites provide urgently required, protected communications services to U.S. Forces in the Northern Polar latitudes above 65 degrees North.  Polar Adjunct I primarily supports submarine connectivity with secondary support to naval surface forces to augment mid-latitude EHF service provided by Milstar. 

Description: (U)
(U) Polar Adjunct I provides EHF communications from a  modified UFO satellite payload launched on a classified host to provide coverage over 65 Degrees North for 14 hours per day.   The single payload will be placed in a Molniya orbit to provide service for 14 hours per day.  Both an earth coverage and a 5 degree spot beam are available to to provide 20 communications channels.  This is an interim solution until final capability is provided in accordance with the DoD MILSATCOM Architecture.  The launch of a Polar Adjunct II payload is planned for FY04.  The two Polar Adjunct satellites, both placed in Molniya orbits, will provide service for 24 hrs/day.  A follow-on Polar service is TBD but is included as part of the DoD MILSATCOM Architecture. 

User Impact: (U)
(U) Without a Polar EHF capability, critical naval and SIOP users will be without protected communications above 65 degrees North.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.
	(U) IOC: 01/1998 (2QFY1998).
	(U) Termination: 01/2008 (2QFY2008).
		(U)  The termination date of 01/01/2006 is an approximate date based upon the projected IOC date for Polar Adjuct II  (10/01/2001) an upgraded capability to Polar Adjunct I.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force: Funding Source.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) AN/USC-38 (V), POLAR ADJUNCT II

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) EHF Satellite Systems, MILSATCOM

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) Major DoD Space Programs, MILSATCOM, National Security Space Road Map.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
31 October 1997

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)