USA-97 (DSCS IIIB-10)

Another launch of a satellite to the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS). The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) provides the United States with military communications to support globally distributed military users. Beginning in 2007, DSCS is being replaced by the Wideband Global SATCOM system. A total of 14 DSCS-III satellites were launched between the early 1980s and 2003.