The MUOS constellation is eventually expected to include four next-generation communication satellites and an in-orbit spare.

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Virgina-based Iridium is almost halfway through a multi-year plan to replace its low-earth orbit network of communication satellites with a powerful new generation.

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Beryllium: used as a lightweight component in military equipment and in the aerospace industry. it is used in high-speed aircraft, missiles, space vehicles and communication satellites.

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At the time of its launch in October 2011 by ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), ViaSat-1 had more capacity than all of the other communication satellites covering North America combined.

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"In the near future, this type of simple laser communication might serve as a backup for the radio communication that satellites use, " Smith said in a statement.

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Its passage is still close enough to approach many communication and weather satellites though NASA scientists said these would be spared.

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The achievements include sending rovers to Mars, placing countless communication and imagining satellites in orbit, and the International Space Station, a semi-permanent home in space.

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Satellites are used for communication, weather forecasting, navigation, research and reconnaissance.

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Satellites beyond Earth use radio waves for tracking and communication, but the moon satellite is the only one to rely on lasers for tracking, NASA said.

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