An Atlas 5 rocket lifted into space on 1 August, carrying a new satellite into space, destined to join the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) network.
The GPS 2F-7 spacecraft was boosted 11,000 miles above the Earth, with liftoff taking place from Florida at 11:23 p.m. EDT. Once fully operational, this new satellite will replace a unit that was launched into orbit 17 years ago.
The United Launch Alliance (ULA), a consortium of private space developers, managed the launch. This marks the second successful liftoff for the group in just four days. The satellite will be controlled by the United States Air Force, as part of their constellation network of GPS satellites.
"This launch marks the third time this year ULA has successfully launched two missions within a week. The ULA team's focus on mission success, one launch at a time, allows us to be ready when our customers are ready to launch," Jim Sponnick, vice president at ULA said.
The GPS IIF-7 satellite is the seventh unit of its type launched into space. The orbiting network utilizes 24 satellites, orbiting the Earth along six separate planes. This provides GPS users with at least four tracking points at all times for navigation. The new satellite design was created to provide greater accuracy and improved performance over earlier models.
The next scheduled launch for the ULA is scheduled for 13 August. On that date, a WorldView-3 mission is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, to send a satellite into orbit for DigitalGlobe. The organization has already sent more than 80 satellites into space. These include GPS, weather and communication systems.
"ULA launch vehicles have delivered all of the current generation of GPS satellites, which are providing ever-improving capabilities for users around the world," Sponnick told reporters in a press release from the ULA.
The new vehicle cost $245 million, and will provide backup in case one of the other satellites in the network fails. In addition to the six other GPS 2F-7 satellites in the constellation of craft, the network also uses a dozen 2-Rs, seven 2-RMs, and six 20As, already in orbit over the Earth, providing data to GPS systems worldwide.
The new spacecraft ware designed to operate 12 years before replacement is required. They provide twice the accuracy of previous models, according to the ULA.
"The signals are so accurate that time can be measured to within a millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile per hour, and location to within feet. Receivers have been developed for use in aircraft, ships, land vehicles, and to hand carry," United Launch Alliance officials wrote on their website.
