# USA-291

> United States Space Force military communications satellite constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q107176509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107176509)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-291)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-291

## Summary
USA-291 is a United States Space Force military communications satellite constellation launched to support secure and strategic communications for national security operations. It was deployed in 2019 aboard a Delta IV Medium+(5,2) rocket, forming part of the U.S. military's modernized satellite infrastructure. The constellation ensures resilient connectivity for global military operations.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 16, 2019  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta IV Medium+(5,2) variant  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2019-014A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 44071  
- **Operator**: United States Space Force  
- **Primary Function**: Military communications as part of a satellite constellation  
- **Instance Of**: Communications satellite  

## FAQs
### Q: When was USA-291 launched?
A: USA-291 was launched on March 16, 2019, using a Delta IV Medium+(5,2) rocket.

### Q: What is the purpose of the USA-291 constellation?
A: The constellation provides secure military communications to support U.S. national security and global operations.

### Q: What is the significance of its COSPAR ID (2019-014A)?
A: The COSPAR ID is an international designation that uniquely identifies USA-291 as a satellite launched in 2019, with "014A" indicating its order of launch and piece letter.

## Why It Matters
USA-291 represents a critical component of the U.S. Space Force's infrastructure, addressing the need for advanced, jam-resistant communications in an increasingly contested space environment. As part of a broader constellation, it enhances the military's ability to coordinate operations worldwide, ensuring command and control capabilities during crises. Its launch underscores the U.S. government's commitment to modernizing its space-based assets to counter emerging threats and maintain strategic advantage. By integrating with other military satellites, USA-291 contributes to a networked system that supports troop deployments, intelligence sharing, and real-time decision-making, directly impacting the effectiveness of U.S. and allied forces.

## Notable For
- **Military Constellation Role**: Part of a dedicated communications network for the U.S. Space Force, distinct from commercial or civilian systems.  
- **Delta IV Launch**: Utilized the Delta IV Medium+(5,2) variant, a heavy-lift rocket designed for high-priority government payloads.  
- **Strategic Resilience**: Designed to operate in hostile environments, ensuring continuity of communications during conflicts.  
- **Post-2019 Operations**: Provides continuous support for modern military engagements, adapting to evolving battlefield requirements.  

## Body
### Launch Details
USA-291 was launched on **March 16, 2019**, via a **Delta IV Medium+(5,2)** rocket, a variant of the Delta IV family optimized for medium-to-heavy payloads. The launch was conducted under a U.S. government contract to bolster national security space assets.

### Technical Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 2019-014A (assigned by the International Space Science Data Centre).  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 44071 (tracked by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network).  
- **Classification**: Primarily categorized as a **communications satellite**, with specialized military capabilities.  

### Mission Purpose
As a **constellation** asset, USA-291 operates within a network of satellites to provide redundant and survivable communication links. This architecture ensures that U.S. forces maintain connectivity even if individual satellites are compromised, reflecting the "no fail" mission critical to military operations. The system supports encrypted data transmission, tactical coordination, and strategic command functions, integrating with other defense systems such as the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) network.

### Operational Context
The launch of USA-291 aligns with the U.S. Space Force's broader strategy to transition legacy systems (e.g., the Defense Satellite Communications System) to more advanced, resilient architectures. Its deployment in 2019 marked a step toward mitigating risks posed by adversarial anti-satellite technologies, emphasizing the need for agility and redundancy in space-based communications.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report