International Launch Services (ILS) is to launch the US Navy's UHF Follow-On (UFO) F11 communications satellite in 2003 aboard an Atlas III booster, continuing the Atlas connection with the programme.
The previous 10 UFO satellites have flown on three Atlas models as part of a navy in-orbit delivery contract with Boeing Satellite Systems. The order is the fifth this year for ILS which is owned by Lockheed Martin, Energia and Khrunichev. Forty launches are planned for the Atlas 2AS, II and V, and Proton K and M vehicles in its stable. This does not include seven launches under a US Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) contract.
The first Atlas III flew in May and the second is due to carry Echostar 7 later this year.
Space consultant Futron says that US boosters launched only 20% of the world's payloads last year, compared with 38% and 54% in 1999 and 1998 respectively.Source: Flight International