Second GPS Block II-F Satellite Successfully Launched
July 18, 2011
The U.S. Air Force successfully launched GPS IIF-2 Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 63 carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium rocket at 2:41 a.m. EDT July 16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. This is the second in the series of 12 GPS satellites that Boeing has on contract with the Air Force. Boeing, maker of the satellite, reports signals are being received.
"I am extremely proud of the tremendous efforts that hundreds of people on the launch team have expended for today's launch. I would like to thank United Launch Alliance, Boeing, my launch vehicle team from SMC's Launch and Range Systems Directorate and a host of others for their dedication to mission success," said the GPS IIF-2 Mission Director Col. Bob Hodgkiss.
The satellite will join the GPS constellation of 30 operational satellites on-orbit providing precise positioning, navigation and timing services to users worldwide. SVN-63 will assume plane D, slot 2A position replacing SVN-24 after nearly 20 years of service. The satellite is expected to be available for navigation users worldwide next month.
The GPS IIF satellites will provide greater navigation accuracy to users through improvements in atomic clock technology and a more robust signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications, known as the third civil signal (L5). Along with new and improved signals GPS IIF will have a longer design life of 12 years providing long-term service and reduced operating costs. GPS IIF will also continue to deploy the modernized capabilities that began with the modernized GPS IIR satellites, including a more robust military signal.
"I'm extremely pleased with today's successful launch; the GPS system's overall navigational accuracy will improve as more GPS IIF space vehicles are put into service," said Col. Bernie Gruber, director of SMC's Global Positioning Systems Directorate. "The improved accuracy, reliability and security of the GPS system ensure that the Air Force will continue to meet its navigation and timing commitments to GPS users around the world," said Col. Gruber.
Boeing has reported acquisition of the first signals from the spacecraft. According to the statement, "Controllers confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft at 6:14 a.m. Eastern time at a ground station on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. GPS signals from the spacecraft payload will be turned on for test purposes in the coming days."
The statement went on to say: "Following launch, the Delta IV vehicle placed SVN-63 into medium Earth orbit. With safety checks completed, checkout will begin under the direction of the Air Force GPS Directorate. Checkout includes payload and system checks to verify operability with the GPS constellation of satellites, ground receivers, and the Operational Control Segment system. Boeing will officially turn over SVN-63 to the Air Force 50th Space Wing and the 2nd Space Operations Squadron this fall after the spacecraft completes on-orbit checkout."
View a video of the launch:
Additional photos:
http://www.launchphotography.com/GPS_2F-2.html
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d355/causeway/
Another launch video, this one set to music and produced by the United Launch Alliance:
http://gge.unb.ca/Resources/GPS_IIF-2_Launch/div_gpsiif2_lh.mov
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