The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully launched the $245 million U.S. Air Force's sixth Block IIF Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite on a Delta IV rocket.
On May 16, the rocket launched successfully from the Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket was scheduled to liftoff on Thursday, May 15, but due to poor weather conditions the liftoff was delayed to Friday. The navigation GPS satellite will benefit both the military as well as civilians.
The IIF satellites will offer improved military signals, which will have better accuracy and will also be less susceptible to signal jamming. The satellite also has improved life expectancy when compared to earlier generation of satellites.
The current launch of the GPS IIF satellite was the fifth successful launch in 2014 and also the 82nd effective launch since ULA's formation in December 2006.
"ULA is honored to work with this world-class U.S. government and contractor mission team, and we are proud to contribute to the GPS capabilities that were delivered to orbit today," says Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. "Congratulations to the entire team on tonight's successful launch of the GPS IIF-6 satellite and the continued one-launch-at-a-time focus."
ULA says that the GPS IIF-6 satellite is the sixth in the succession of the next-generation GPS satellites. The GPS IIF-6 satellite will also join a worldwide navigation and timing system. It will utilize 24 satellites located in six different planes, with at least four satellites in each plane that are positioned in the orbit around 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface.
ULA's next launch is supposed to be on May 22 for the National Reconnaissance Office from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. ULA's next GPS launch will be in July 2014 and will use the Atlas V rocket.
