# USA-288

> United States military communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q97481006](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q97481006)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-288)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-288

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **USA-288** based on the provided source material:

---

## Summary  
USA-288 is a United States military communications satellite and the fourth spacecraft in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation. Launched in 2018, it provides secure, jam-resistant communications for the U.S. military and allied forces. The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman and launched aboard an Atlas V 551 rocket.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** October 17, 2018, at 04:15 UTC  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 551  
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41  
- **Mass:** 6,168 kilograms  
- **Operator:** United States Space Force  
- **Manufacturers:** Lockheed Martin Space and Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems  
- **Spacecraft Bus:** A2100  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2018-079A  
- **Preceded by:** USA-246  
- **Followed by:** USA-292  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the purpose of USA-288?  
A: USA-288 provides secure, high-capacity military communications for the U.S. and allied forces, ensuring reliable and jam-resistant data transmission.  

### Q: Who operates USA-288?  
A: The satellite is operated by the United States Space Force, which manages its mission and communications functions.  

### Q: What rocket launched USA-288?  
A: It was launched aboard an Atlas V 551 rocket, a variant of the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V series.  

## Why It Matters  
USA-288 is a critical component of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation, which ensures secure and resilient communications for U.S. military operations worldwide. The AEHF satellites replace the older Milstar system, offering significantly higher data rates and improved resistance to electronic warfare threats. By providing uninterrupted communication links for strategic and tactical missions, USA-288 enhances the military’s ability to coordinate operations in contested environments. Its launch in 2018 marked another step in modernizing the Pentagon’s space-based communications infrastructure.  

## Notable For  
- Part of the **AEHF constellation**, a successor to the Milstar system.  
- Provides **jam-resistant communications** for military use.  
- Built on the **A2100 spacecraft bus**, a reliable platform for geostationary satellites.  
- Launched aboard an **Atlas V 551**, one of the most powerful configurations of the Atlas V rocket.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- **Launch Date:** October 17, 2018  
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41  
- **Launch Provider:** United Launch Alliance (ULA)  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 6,168 kg  
- **Spacecraft Bus:** A2100  
- **Manufacturers:** Lockheed Martin (primary) and Northrop Grumman (payload)  

### Mission Role  
- Provides **secure, high-bandwidth communications** for military operations.  
- Part of the **AEHF constellation**, ensuring global coverage.  

### Predecessors and Successors  
- **Preceded by:** USA-246 (AEHF-3)  
- **Followed by:** USA-292 (AEHF-5)  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "USA-288",
  "description": "United States military communications satellite and part of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61774963",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-288"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite"
}
```  

--- 

This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids any fabricated details. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/aehf.html)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/aehf-1.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=2018-079A)