USA-233

USA-233 or WGS-4 is an American military communications satellite which was launched in 2012. The fourth Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, it is the first WGS Block II satellite to be launched.

USA-233 can transmit data with approximately 3.6 gigabits per second bandwidth. It can point 19 individual beams at different points on the Earth, operating at x band and ka band frequencies.^[1] Built by Boeing around the BSS-702 bus, the 5,987-kilogram (13,199 lb) satellite is expected to operate for 14 years. Propulsion is provided by an R-4D apogee motor, and four XIPS-25 ion thrusters for stationkeeping.^[2]

The launch of USA-233 took place at 00:38 UTC on 20 January 2012, using a Delta IV-M+(5,4) carrier rocket flying from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.^[3] The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance, and marked the eighteenth flight of the Delta IV. The carrier rocket successfully placed the satellite into a 440-by-66,870-kilometre (270 by 41,550 mi) supersynchronous transfer orbit, with 24 degrees of inclination.^[1] Upon achieving orbit, WGS-4 was assigned its USA designation, and the International Designator 2012-003A.^[4] The satellite will use its onboard propulsion systems to inject itself into geosynchronous orbit.

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