NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan => Topic started by: beidou on 01/15/2013 02:59 pm
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This will be the second launch of two GPS IIFs in 2013.
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There was mention of three GPS launches during 2013.
A few years ago, the General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a study predicting a failure of the core 24 satellite system. The news media had a 'field day' reporting satellites would soon 'fall out of the sky.'
Contrary to the GAO study premises, Block IIF GPS satellite deliveries and launches paced decommissioning of old equipment while the system operators stretched the life of on orbit space vehicles.
Consequently, GPS degradation isn't imminent. In actuality, a twenty seven (24+3) satellite core constellation has been operating with four orbital slots reinforced by additional healthy satellites.
Realistically, the constellation still depends upon the viability of several old Block IIA satellites. These really need to be replaced.
Augmenting three IIF satellites now in service, three new 2013 ones would have virtually relieved pressure on the the system operators to sustain a robust system.
Depending upon what breaks, two new well placed satellites will still be welcomed.
--- CHAS
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Augmenting three IIF satellites now in service, three new 2013 ones would have virtually relieved pressure on the the system operators to sustain a robust system.
Depending upon what breaks, two new well placed satellites will still be welcomed.
These two also bring us up to 12 L2C capable birds (plus maybe SVN49 if they ever figure out a workable fix). Anyone know what the minimum constellation is before it goes operational? 18? 24?
-R C
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These two also bring us up to 12 L2C capable birds (plus maybe SVN49 if they ever figure out a workable fix). Anyone know what the minimum constellation is before it goes operational? 18? 24?
-R C
In satellite navigation parlance, L1 and L2 refer to GPS radio frequency bands where the navigation signals are transmitted. Older satellites transmit the 'legacy' signals while the newer ones transmit 'legacy' plus 'modernized' signals.
L2C is a modernized civil signal that has never been enabled to send navigation messages. There's a nice article about L2C modernization at GPS World Magazine.
http://www.gpsworld.com/2c-or-not-2c/
The system operators cite the inability of the current ground infrastructure to operate L2C as the reason for not setting the signal usable for navigation. That includes world wide network of remote monitoring stations and the master control station at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.
There's a contract in place, that hasn't been free of controversy, to develop a master control station called the OCX that will support the complete suite of legacy and modernized signals. OCX is tightly coupled with the arrival of Block III satellites and probably will not be delivered before 2016.
Apparently, it's not just a matter of the number of available modernized satellites that will determine when the new signals are usable for navigation. Meanwhile, those who argue the signal is useful now and should be available from the capable satellites will remain frustrated.
--- CHAS
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Cool, hadn't read this month's GPS World yet. Thanks for the link, and for the additional info on OCX. The article makes it sound like they could turn on L2C pretty much any time if the Air Force was willing to tolerate/pay for some more manual processing.
-R C
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The current launch schedule is on Oct 1st.
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The current launch schedule is on Oct 1st.
Based on what info?
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The current launch schedule is on Oct 1st.
Based on what info?
I remember seeing it somewhere (it's on a NASA graph showing the expected launch dates of all the launchers involved with NASA missions), but I can't find it now. MSDB only lists "Oct. 2013" right now: http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/launches.php (http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/launches.php)
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The current launch schedule is on Oct 1st.
Based on what info?
Hello Jim, this might be what Galactic Penguin was referring to. It shows the launch date to be October 1st. I don't think it is just a place holder (NET) but that's just my non-authoritative opinion:
http://fdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/launch-schedules
Nudge
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The current launch schedule is on Oct 1st.
Source: http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/sathtml/satinfo.html - May 2013 update
Satellite Freq.
PRN/SVN Plane Std # Block
---------+-------+-----+----------+-Scheduled-Upcoming-Launches---------------------------------
??/?? -- IIF-5 November 2013...???...
With the ??? should probably read NET November 2013
No birds misbehaving bad enough to require launching a new one.
SVN38/SVN39 are currently the worst performing birds, but since they're flying a triplet arrangement, one can be retired without direct replacement.
Likely one of both will be retired, but next launch will go into another orbital plane to prepare for M-Code/L2C IOC.
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Per GPS World (http://gpsworld.com/resources/upcoming-gnss-satellite-launches/) the launch date is October 17 and will fly SVN64 to space.
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Per GPS World (http://gpsworld.com/resources/upcoming-gnss-satellite-launches/) the launch date is October 17 and will fly SVN64 to space.
From Ben Cooper's Cape Canaveral rocket viewing information webpage (http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html (http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4_Atlas_5_Falcon_9_Launch_Viewing.html)) the launch window on October 17 is 6:20 - 6:38 pm EDT (22:20 - 22:38 UTC).
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Sept. 17, 2013 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] workers lift the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-5 satellite onto a transporter following its Aug. 1 arrival at the Navstar Processing Facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Boeing shipped the fifth GPS IIF satellite from its satellite factory in El Segundo, Calif., on a U.S. Air Force C-17 airlifter. Workers will fuel the satellite and integrate it with a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket prior to launch in October. The GPS IIFs continue to meet mission requirements as they are added to the on-orbit constellation, achieving the greatest accuracy ever and ensuring highly accurate position, timing and navigation services to a global user community.
# # #
Photo credit: Boeing photo
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Hmm.... per SFN this launch has slipped to October 23 at 5:53-6:12 pm EDT (21:53-22:12 UTC). I wonder why? ???
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Most unfortunate, as I am around the Cape only until October 18th and this would have been my first launch :(
Well, better luck next time!
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Hmm.... per SFN this launch has slipped to October 23 at 5:53-6:12 pm EDT (21:53-22:12 UTC). I wonder why? ???
I asked the ULA PAO on Twitter; here's their response:
ULA @ulalaunch
@Cosmic_Penguin Yes. To allow technicians time to change out a faulty ground system valve on the liquid oxygen storage tank prior to launch.
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The Air Force is in the process of setting a new launch date for its next Global Positioning System satellite on a Delta IV rocket.
Launch of the GPS IIF-5 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral had been targeted for next Wednesday at 5:53 p.m., but will slip.
A spokesperson for the 45th Space Wing could not immediately confirm the reason for the slip or a new target launch date.
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James Dean (https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/390137399256154113) of Florida Today says it may slip "a couple weeks".
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Any update on the reason for the change in launch date?
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ULA
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2013) -- The launch of the GPS IIF-5 mission on a ULA Delta IV launch vehicle, currently scheduled for Oct. 23, 2013, is being delayed. The team has continued with Phase II of an investigation related to a successful Delta IV launch that occurred in October 2012 in which the second stage RL10B-2 engine thrust was lower than expected. It was determined that a fuel leak occurred within the engine system and that this fuel leak caused the low thrust. The ongoing Phase II investigation has included extremely detailed characterization and reconstructions of the instrumentation signatures obtained from the October 2012 launch and these have recently resulted in some updated conclusions related to dynamic responses that occurred on the engine system during the first engine start event. The GPS IIF-5 Delta IV launch is being delayed to allow the technical team time to further assess these updated conclusions and assess the improvements already implemented and determine whether additional changes are required prior to the next Delta IV launch. The Delta IV booster for the GPS IIF-5 mission has completed the standard processing and checkout on the launch pad and will be maintained in a ready state for spacecraft mate and launch pending completion of this assessment. A new launch date will be established when the assessment of the updated dynamic response information is completed in the coming weeks. The processing of Atlas V vehicles for upcoming missions including the Nov. 18 launch of the MAVEN mission for NASA are proceeding as planned.
Jessica Rye, APR
ULA Communications
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I have a query in as to the likelihood of the launch slipping past MAVEN. From everything I've been hearing here around the cape, it seems likely, but I want to get something more or less official even if off-the-record.
Ah... a reply. I'm being told it's too soon to tell as of now. So... we'll see.
Matt
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ULA
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2013) -- The launch of the GPS IIF-5 mission on a ULA Delta IV launch vehicle, currently scheduled for Oct. 23, 2013, is being delayed. The team has continued with Phase II of an investigation related to a successful Delta IV launch that occurred in October 2012 in which the second stage RL10B-2 engine thrust was lower than expected. It was determined that a fuel leak occurred within the engine system and that this fuel leak caused the low thrust. The ongoing Phase II investigation has included extremely detailed characterization and reconstructions of the instrumentation signatures obtained from the October 2012 launch and these have recently resulted in some updated conclusions related to dynamic responses that occurred on the engine system during the first engine start event. The GPS IIF-5 Delta IV launch is being delayed to allow the technical team time to further assess these updated conclusions and assess the improvements already implemented and determine whether additional changes are required prior to the next Delta IV launch. The Delta IV booster for the GPS IIF-5 mission has completed the standard processing and checkout on the launch pad and will be maintained in a ready state for spacecraft mate and launch pending completion of this assessment. A new launch date will be established when the assessment of the updated dynamic response information is completed in the coming weeks. The processing of Atlas V vehicles for upcoming missions including the Nov. 18 launch of the MAVEN mission for NASA are proceeding as planned.
Jessica Rye, APR
ULA Communications
How is that this effects this mission & not other Delta IV missions we have already seen this year, is it purely because it's another GPS mission?
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My guess is it's got something to do with the "some updated conclusions". I.e. they OK-d the engine based on earlier investigation but they're now having some second thoughts about that.
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My guess is it's got something to do with the "some updated conclusions". I.e. they OK-d the engine based on earlier investigation but they're now having some second thoughts about that.
Does it indicate there is block of engines with this issue?
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Since the last few flights went off without a hitch, I would say it's not a multiple engine issue. Whatever happened seems to be very rare/unlikely, they likely just want to understand it as best as they possibly can in order to guarantee this doesn't happen again.
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Since the last few flights went off without a hitch, I would say it's not a multiple engine issue. Whatever happened seems to be very rare/unlikely, they likely just want to understand it as best as they possibly can in order to guarantee this doesn't happen again.
A hold preventing launch was placed on several DIVs by Phase II of the commission to allow for inspection of the DCSS and the engine modifications and other changes implemented after the engine failure. If they are happy with the results they will release this DIV just like all of the DIVs since engine incident happened. This process will repeat for the foreseeable future for DCSS stages that have had the required mods implemented while the engine was attached to the DCSS during the modification process. This stage by stage review by the investigation will end soon as the engines that were not installed at the time of the incident can be inspected before installation to a DCSS. This is my understanding. Also RL-10C conversions begin flying at the end of 2014 to the beginning of 2015.
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Since the last few flights went off without a hitch, I would say it's not a multiple engine issue. Whatever happened seems to be very rare/unlikely, they likely just want to understand it as best as they possibly can in order to guarantee this doesn't happen again.
A hold preventing launch was placed on several DIVs by Phase II of the commission to allow for inspection of the DCSS and the engine modifications and other changes implemented after the engine failure. If they are happy with the results they will release this DIV just like all of the DIVs since engine incident happened. This process will repeat for the foreseeable future for DCSS stages that have had the required mods implemented while the engine was attached to the DCSS during the modification process. This stage by stage review by the investigation will end soon as the engines that were not installed at the time of the incident can be inspected before installation to a DCSS. This is my understanding. Also RL-10C conversions begin flying at the end of 2014 to the beginning of 2015.
This is more than the one-at-a-time clearance that was previously performed. ugordon is on the right track. RL-10C conversions will fly on Atlas, not Delta.
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Just scrolled by http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/sathtml/satinfo.html (http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/sathtml/satinfo.html) and saw this:
Satellite Freq.
PRN/SVN Plane Std # Block
---------+-------+-----+----------+-Scheduled-Upcoming-Launches---------------------------------
30/64 D4 IIF-5 Mid-November 2013...will be given PRN30...after launch,
SVN49 will be assigned PRN06...then SVN36 will be put
into 'spare' status...
Wonder if that's true as of right now? ::)
BTW the spacecraft will go to plane D, slot 4 to replace SVN34 (GPS IIA-13, launched on August 30, 1993), which will in turn become a spare satellite on plane D. SVN64 will use PRN30, now used by the problematic SVN49/GPS IIR-20, which will switch to PRN06. SVN36/GPS IIA-15, which currently uses PRN06, will be switched to a backup role.
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Photo of the Rocket taken today from the media bus as we went out to Pad-41.
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New launch date NET December 12 per http://www2.unb.ca/gge/Resources/GPSConstellationStatus.txt (http://www2.unb.ca/gge/Resources/GPSConstellationStatus.txt).
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Today
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Per L2 Cape Pad schedule, this is not going next. The Delta IV / AFSPC-04 mission is next to launch from SLC-37, on February 27.
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Per L2 Cape Pad schedule, this is not going next. The Delta IV / AFSPC-04 mission is next to launch from SLC-37, on February 27.
Same, or different, rocket?
- Ed Kyle
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Per L2 Cape Pad schedule, this is not going next. The Delta IV / AFSPC-04 mission is next to launch from SLC-37, on February 27.
Same, or different, rocket?
- Ed Kyle
Can ULA swap the rocket? (both will use the M+(4,2) configuration)
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Per L2 Cape Pad schedule, this is not going next. The Delta IV / AFSPC-04 mission is next to launch from SLC-37, on February 27.
Same, or different, rocket?
- Ed Kyle
Can ULA swap the rocket? (both will use the M+(4,2) configuration)
yes they have done it before, I think once
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Updating via L2 again. Late Feb NET.
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Just picked up a change in:
http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/sathtml/satinfo.html
Satellite Freq.
PRN/SVN Plane Std # Block
---------+-------+-----+----------+-Scheduled-Upcoming-Launches---------------------------------
30/64 A3 IIF-5 Scheduled for 20 February 2014...will be given PRN30...after
launch, SVN49 will be assigned PRN06...then SVN36 will be
put into 'spare' status...
Before it was late winter / early spring 2014. So perhaps we can adopt NET Feb 20th 2014 ?
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Trying to verify the launch window but I heard 8:40 pm EST on 2/20
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Launch Vehicle/Mission: Delta 4/GPS 2F-5
Date: Feb. 20, 2014
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Launch window: 2040-2059L (Pending)
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I like the compass patch any cool digital images of it, I can only find pictures of the real patch.
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I'm assuming that it was this launch that has led CRS-3 to be pushed back a week? In order to give the range time to recycle and the option for several next-day alternate launch attempts?
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Range only needs a couple of days to reconfigure for another launch, not a whole week.
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Yeah, I know. That's why I specified that the slip is to also give the margin for extra launch attempts in case of some problem on the 20th.
I read once (on this very site) that this is a 'heirachy' of launches where some launches would be immediately bumped if a more important payload needs launching. I don't think anyone would seriously doubt that a GPS satellite would be more important than cargo for the ISS.
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I read once (on this very site) that this is a 'heirachy' of launches where some launches would be immediately bumped if a more important payload needs launching. I don't think anyone would seriously doubt that a GPS satellite would be more important than cargo for the ISS.
I also read once (on this very site) that "commercial" launches take precedence over government launches, all other things being equal. I don't think anyone should assume that launching a GPS satellite is *so* important that it would be the sole reason of CRS-3 being pushed off only to launch GPS a few days sooner. Occam's razor suggests that CRS-3 is simply not ready and nothing more should be read into that.
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Yeah, I know. That's why I specified that the slip is to also give the margin for extra launch attempts in case of some problem on the 20th.
I read once (on this very site) that this is a 'heirachy' of launches where some launches would be immediately bumped if a more important payload needs launching. I don't think anyone would seriously doubt that a GPS satellite would be more important than cargo for the ISS.
I would doubt that a GPS launch would bump a CRS launch. It would be more likely, IMO, that the CRS launch slipped and opened the door for this one.
The range typically does not provide more than two attempts (days) before giving the next vehicle in line an opportunity. Jim may have more insight into range operations.
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Yeah, I know. That's why I specified that the slip is to also give the margin for extra launch attempts in case of some problem on the 20th.
I read once (on this very site) that this is a 'heirachy' of launches where some launches would be immediately bumped if a more important payload needs launching. I don't think anyone would seriously doubt that a GPS satellite would be more important than cargo for the ISS.
I think a lot of people would doubt that. The GPS system will be just fine if a launch is delayed for a while. The ISS might not.
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http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d361/update.html#.UukEUvYo7Jw
Delta 4 rocket engine cleared for GPS launch on Feb. 20
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Some shots of the Delta IV taken from Pad 34 on January 27 by Julian Leek (from his facebook site)
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Some shots of the Delta IV taken from Pad 34 on January 27 by Julian Leek (from his facebook site)
Wow. Very apt indeed!
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Finally, the launch kit was released.
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So I thought since I just found it I would post at least one of the digital patches for this mission. There is this one and then the boat shaped one but I like the compass better.
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"Ego Navita" mean "I Navigate", right?
I love the Viking boat. Even thought I don't know the Northern Constellation.
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So I thought since I just found it I would post at least one of the digital patches for this mission. There is this one and then the boat shaped one but I like the compass better.
The different patches are by different organizations involved in the mission
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"Ego Navita" mean "I Navigate", right?
I love the Viking boat. Even thought I don't know the Northern Constellation.
My Latin is quite rusty, but I don't recognise any verb form in "navita". I navigate would be "navigo". Since it's it was unusual to use pronouns together with verbs, I would offer the following translation: "I, Sailor"/"Me, the sailor" or something in that direction.
Someone with better knowledge of Latin please correct me if I'm wrong. :P
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Three sides symbolize the third Space Vehicle. SV‐3 is named after the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina, Canopus, which is depicted in the evening sky along with a GPS Block IIF satellite and the Delta IV symbol for the launch vehicle. The sky is orange to represent the time of day that Canopus will be launched and compliments the black border to create a late‐October Halloween feel. (Orange is also the color of the Denver Broncos and Florida Gators for you sports fans). The "C" and "P" of Canopus are highlighted, indicating this was the last Cost Plus development satellite in the IIF program. The mountain signifies Pikes peak in Colorado for our On‐Orbit ops teams. The palm trees and LAX restaurant are displayed in honor of the development team in Los Angeles. The Cape Canaveral team is represented by the 45th Launch Support Squadron's alligator mascot which is incorporated on the right hand side. Notice the phrases "Vela" and "621B" in gold on the bottom right hand side. 2013 is the 50th anniversary for two important milestones in GPS history. In 1963, the Partial Test Ban Treaty was signed to prohibit all test detonations of nuclear weapons except underground. On October 17th 1963, approximately 50 years before GPS IIF‐5's scheduled launch date, the first nuclear detonation detection satellite Vela A1, and descendant to the modern day US Nuclear Detonation Detection System payload, was launched to start global monitoring from space. Also, in 1963, the development of Project 621B, the foundation of the modern GPS satellite concept, was approved. The IIF‐5 launch commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Vela launch and the approval of Project 621B.
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Weather Forecast
Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds, Solar Activity
Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 20%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds, Solar Activity
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ULA:
The mission is set to liftoff on a ULA Delta IV rocket on Thursday, Feb. 20 from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 19-minute launch window opens at 8:40 p.m. EST. Today’s L-4 forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
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Mission Booklet:
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L-3 weather forecast for Delta IV launch
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-071220-067.pdf
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ULA:
Final preparations are occurring for the Air Force’s GPS IIF-5 launch. Liftoff is set for Thursday, Feb. 20 aboard a ULA Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 19-minute launch window opens at 8:40 p.m. EST. Today’s L-2 forecast continues to show an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
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ULA @ulalaunch
The ULA Launch Readiness Review is complete. We are GO for the #GPSIIF5 launch on a #DeltaIV! Tomorrow's launch window opens at 8:40 pm EST
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Moved for live coverage.
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It seems that this satellite is going to slot A3 of the constellation, replacing SVN38 (GPS IIA-19, launched November 1997) - SVN38 will then move to slot A2 as back-up. However earlier reports puts slot D4 as the satellite's final destination - which one is correct? And what will happen to the other satellites on plane A after the launch?
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William Graham with another meaty preview/overview:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/02/ula-delta-iv-launch-gps-iif-5/
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It seems that this satellite is going to slot A3 of the constellation, replacing SVN38 (GPS IIA-19, launched November 1997) - SVN38 will then move to slot A2 as back-up. However earlier reports puts slot D4 as the satellite's final destination - which one is correct? And what will happen to the other satellites on plane A after the launch?
OK from William's article it seems that:
Slot changes:
SVN64 (IIF-5): A3
SVN38 (IIA-19): A3 -> A5
SVN39 (IIA-12): A5 -> A6(?)
PRN changes:
SVN64 (IIF-5): 30
SVN49 (IIR-20): 30 -> 06
SVN36 (IIA-15): 06 -> non-broadcasting
Is that correct?
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ATK @ATK
Tower rollback is underway preparing for tonight's launch of #DeltaIV by @ulalaunch using our #GEM60 solid rockets! pic.twitter.com/AswaBxDo10
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scriptunasphoto
The @ulalaunch Delta 4 stands ready for launch! Tonight's 19 minute launch window opens at 8:40. #GPSIIF5
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ULA:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2014) - A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-37 with the Air Force's Global Positioning System (GPS IIF-5) payload. Launch is scheduled for this evening at 8:40 p.m. EST at the opening of a 19-minute window. GPS IIF-5 is the fifth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface.
Photo by Ben Cooper, United Launch Alliance <---He's pretty much doing everyone's Cape photos now! ;D
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Coming up on the start of the webcast.
All progressing well, no issues currently in work.
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L-20 minutes - T-4 minutes and holding.
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Weather looking good.
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25th Delta-IV
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25th Delta IV since 2002.
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T-4 minute master script running.
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T-4m and holding... We are on a planned 45 minute hold.
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Commemorating Delta II's role in building the GPS constellation.
(And of course, this year we will get to see Thor ride again...)
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ULA link to tonight's launch: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml
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L-10 minutes
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L-9 minutes. All steps complete up to polling.
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Polling to proceed with the terminal count.
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Final pool before resuming the countdown.
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No-go due to solar activity.
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For a second, I thought the controller's laptop at the bottom of the shot was on NSF. Then I woke up ;D
Polling to come out of the hold: NO GO for solar radiation.
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No-go due to solar radiation... hold will be extended...
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No go solar radiation
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19 minute window to work with.
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beautiful
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The latest glancing CMEs probably have to do with this. Spaceweather gives a nice overview of the situation: http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=20&month=02&year=2014 (http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=21&month=02&year=2014) - in the image, yesterday's M3 ejection.
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Team discussing.
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They'll need to be in a go stance within the next 10 minutes or so.
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15 minutes remaining in the window
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Green on solar flux!
T-0: 01:59 ZULU
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New T-0 8:59 PM ET, right at the end of the window.
Solar flux currently green, will continue to monitor through the count and scrub if they go red.
Edit: Oops, have to remember I'm not on Eastern time anymore...
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So this now a single shot. Right at the end of the window.
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L-13 mins.
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Status check to proceed with terminal count.
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Polling again.....
All GO to proceed into the terminal count.
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Permission to launch.
Pulling swing arm lock pins.
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L-6 mins.
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T-4 minutes and counting.
Vehicle going to internal power.
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Vehicle on internal power.
Securing CBC tanks.
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T-180 seconds.
Ordnance arming.
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Ordnance armed.
CBC LOX at flight pressure and level.
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T-120 seconds. TPA spin up, hydraulic pressure at 4000 psi.
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T-90 seconds.
CBC LH2 at flight pressure and level.
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T-60 seconds.
Range green.
Go Delta IV!
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Launch enable.
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Range Green.
Launch Enable.
Green Board.
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Green board. Flight lock-in.
SRM TVC blowdown.
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Liftoff!
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LAUNCH!!
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T+30 seconds.
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Mach 1.
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Mach 1
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Max-Q.
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MaxQ
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Altitude 9 nm.
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SRM burnout and sep.
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The two solids have separated.
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Delta IV now weighs half of what it did at launch.
Downrange 33 nm.
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launch
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ACS pressurizing.
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Second stage starting to press the RCS jets.
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Chamber pressure holding in the main engine.
Mach 10.
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Mach 10 already.
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Video of the launch made the Fox Sports 1 broadcast of the second daytona 500 qualifying race :)
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Altitude 51 nm.
12115 ft/sec.
118 nm downrange.
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Coming to the end of first stage flight.
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Down to partial thrust mode.
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MECO, staging.
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NEDS deploy and second stage ignition.
Fairing sep.
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STAGING!
1-2 Sep.
Second stage ignition.
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Eight minute burn.
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The obligatory young AF officer interview
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The obligatory young AF officer interview
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Altitude 191 (statute) mi.
Speed 14100 mph.
Chamber pressure "rock-solid", good engine control.
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T+10 mins.
170 miles uphill.
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Less than 2 minutes to go for this burn.
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Speed 24,532 ft/sec.
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Now orbital.
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SECO-1.
Coasting for approximately 9 minutes.
Parking orbit 99.9x216.4nm at 41.6 degrees.
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There's SECO 1.
Next burn in nine mins.
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orbit at SECO 1 100 X 216 NM at 41.6 degrees. Booster was yawing slightly increasing the inclination through the burn
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Sounds like they hired the lady with the sexy voice from the ILS mission overview video :)
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Fox Sports 1 just showed a second view of the launch from it's infra-red camera
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War story of GPS guiding in an airstrike from F-16s (Vipers) in support of US Special Forces
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RCS jets slowly raising high point of orbit to 221 NM
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Second stage restart.
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Second burn under way.
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War story of GPS guiding in an airstrike from F-16s (Vipers) in support of US Special Forces
Calling in fast air happens more often than people probably assume. A heck of a lot more often!
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Less than 90 seconds to go.
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Speed 30,854 ft/sec.
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We got Seco 2
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And there's SECO-2
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orbit at SECO 2 129 X 11007 NM inclined 43.34 degrees
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A three hour coast phase now......
Sleep or play GTA V? ;D
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SECO-2.
Orbit currently 129x11007 nm at 43.340 degrees. Of course the ACS settling jets will cause the orbit to change slightly.
Edit: Thanks Targeteer!
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Webcast signing off.
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replay
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SECO-2.
Orbit currently 129x11007 nm at 41.340 (?) degrees. Of course the ACS settling jets will cause the orbit to change slightly.
43.340 degrees :)
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Super coverage guys.
William's article updated to where we are right now:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/02/ula-delta-iv-launch-gps-iif-5/
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Fox Sports 1 just showed a second view of the launch from it's infra-red camera
Screenshot on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/nascarcasm/status/436686146349715456 (https://twitter.com/nascarcasm/status/436686146349715456)
I had problems watching the stream (wouldn't even start buffering), so thanks to FOX I could watch it live from Daytona :D
Announcers were even informed enough to know that they were watching the launch of a GPS satellite.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJv2JkY4Bb8
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ULA @ulalaunch
The #DeltaIV with #GPSIIF5 continues to perform well. Approx 2 hours until the third and final burn of the second stage engine.
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https://twitter.com/InstinctFilms/status/436701145780596737
https://twitter.com/AmericaSpace/status/436700727738904576
https://twitter.com/Angle1555/status/436694013874163712
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So we shouldn't be far off the third burn now....
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ULA @ulalaunch
The second stage engine has reignited for its third and final burn! #GPSIIF5 #DeltaIV
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This is a 97.9 second burn.
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It's all gone quiet!
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Spacecraft separation should be about.....now.
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They didn't even mention SECO-3, which was 18 mins ago.
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Had it confirmed S/C Sep!
Congrats to all!
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We have had successful spacecraft separation! Below are the press release, launch photos and caption. This will be the final communications for the GPS IIF-5 mission.
United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 25th Delta IV Mission Carrying Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (Feb. 21, 2014) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 20 at 8:59 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA’s second launch in 2014 and the 79th launch since the company was formed in December 2006.
"Congratulations to the entire mission team on tonight’s successful launch of the GPS IIF-5 satellite,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. “GPS provides vital capabilities for the men and women protecting our freedoms around the world and also provides ever-expanding benefits in our daily lives. We are privileged to collaborate with our dedicated government and industry partners seamlessly working together to deliver these capabilities safely to orbit with a focus on mission success, one launch at a time.”
This mission was launched aboard a Delta IV Medium-plus configuration Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) using a single ULA common booster core powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine, along with two ATK GEM-60 solid rocket motors. The upper stage was powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 engine with the satellite encapsulated in a four-meter diameter composite payload fairing.
GPS IIF-5 is the fifth in a series of next-generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.
“This launch marks the 25th successful launch of our Delta IV product line,” said Sponnick. “Delta IV has successfully delivered numerous satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), as well as GPS satellites for the Air Force and weather satellites for NASA.
ULA's next launch is the Atlas V NROL-67 mission for the NRO planned for March 25, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
The EELV program was established by the United States Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV Program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems.
With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 75 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system. Reliable launch, real-world benefits.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch and twitter.com/ulalaunch
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2014) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 20 at 8:59 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-37. GPS IIF-5 is the fifth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface.
Photo by Ben Cooper, United Launch Alliance
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Delta IV GPS IIF-5 Launch Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9DqQE2lCSY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9DqQE2lCSY)
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 20 at 8:59 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-37. GPS IIF-5 is the fifth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9DqQE2lCSY
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My congratulations :) !
Up Close GoPro Hero 2 Captures Delta IV Medium Rocket Launch With GPS IIF-5 Spacecraft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2V6itrX2bI
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Video of the launch made the Fox Sports 1 broadcast of the second daytona 500 qualifying race :)
That's how I knew it launched. They had a neat thermal camera image of it too.
Thanks for the coverage guys.
Congrats to the teams!
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Video of the launch made the Fox Sports 1 broadcast of the second daytona 500 qualifying race :)
That's how I knew it launched. They had a neat thermal camera image of it too.
Thanks for the coverage guys.
Congrats to the teams!
Same here, got caught up in the Duel Races... :D Good thing NSF had it covered, thank you! :) Congrats to ULA!
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Question: Why do the Delta IV GPS launches head east towards a 41 degree inc. orbit and then increase back to the required 55 deg. orbit, instead of launching northeast directly towards a 55 deg. orbit (as Atlas V GPS launches do)? The 1st stage shouldn't travel far enough to hit Europe when launching NE...
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Question: Why do the Delta IV GPS launches head east towards a 41 degree inc. orbit and then increase back to the required 55 deg. orbit, instead of launching northeast directly towards a 55 deg. orbit (as Atlas V GPS launches do)? The 1st stage shouldn't travel far enough to hit Europe when launching NE...
There is no land mass to over fly during any portion of power flight.
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2 objects have been catalogued by USSTRATCOM
39533/2014-008A in 20451 x 20469 km x 54.99° (presumably the S/C)
39534/2014-008B in 20468 x 21710 km x 54.68° (presumably Delta-IV 2nd stage)
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Question: Why do the Delta IV GPS launches head east towards a 41 degree inc. orbit and then increase back to the required 55 deg. orbit, instead of launching northeast directly towards a 55 deg. orbit (as Atlas V GPS launches do)? The 1st stage shouldn't travel far enough to hit Europe when launching NE...
There is no land mass to over fly during any portion of power flight.
Here are the Atlas 5-401 versus Delta 4M+4,2 GPS 2 ground traces. Atlas 5's Centaur performed a long first burn to reach a transfer orbit directly while Delta 4's DCSS performed two burns to reach a transfer orbit. Since the first stage burn times are similar, I would expect DCSS to be able to complete a long first burn like Centaur before hitting Europe. Perhaps the extra capability of the 4M+4,2 compared to the two-stage Atlas was used to keep the entire flight over water.
- Ed Kyle
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This image posted on SpaceWeather.com by photographer Dennis Mammana captures fuel vent...
(http://spaceweather.com/images2014/22feb14/mysterycloud_strip.jpg)
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5th Boeing GPS IIF Spacecraft Sends Initial Signals from Space
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 21, 2014 -- A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite has sent initial signals from space after its launch Feb. 20, joining four other advanced versions of the spacecraft that are improving position, navigation and timing information for millions of civilian and military users around the world.
GPS IIF-5 launched at 8:59 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket, and Boeing received the satellite's first signals approximately three and a half hours later. It will undergo on-orbit activation, checkout and testing before joining the active GPS constellation.
The GPS IIFs are providing greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology, a more resilient signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications, and a longer design life of 12 years.
"Boeing launched the first GPS satellite in 1978 and has played an integral role in the ongoing enhancement of this vital technology ever since," said Craig Cooning, Boeing vice president and general manager of Space & Intelligence Systems. "The 42 satellites that we have deployed into service to date for the U.S. Air Force have accumulated more than 500 years of on-orbit operations, and the current system continues to meet or exceed all mission requirements."
This was the first GPS IIF satellite launch of 2014. The sixth GPS IIF is at the Florida launch site undergoing preparations for a second quarter launch. The remaining six are at the Boeing Satellite Development Center in El Segundo, Calif.
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As per current GPS status, SVN64 with PRN30 is in A6 slot.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/02/ula-delta-iv-launch-gps-iif-5/
"GPS IIF-5, which is also numbered GPS IIF SV-5 and has Space Vehicle Number 64"
It is SV-3, is not it?
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For now, SVN36 (IIA-24) in C6 slot with PRN6 is decommissioned, PRN6 code is assigned to D6 slot.
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5th Boeing GPS IIF Satellite Joins Global Positioning System
GPS users benefit from more precise navigation data
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 8, 2014 -- The accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has been improved with the recent handover of a fifth Boeing [NYSE: BA] GPS IIF satellite to the U.S. Air Force. The newest addition to the GPS constellation increases the precision of position, navigation and timing data sent to users around the world.
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/Fifth-Boeing-GPS-IIF-Satellite-Joins-Global-Positioning-System
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Hmm....the satellite has still yet to be set to usable. (http://gpsworld.com/delay-in-setting-recently-launched-block-iif-satellite-healthy/) ::)
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Hmm....the satellite has still yet to be set to usable. (http://gpsworld.com/delay-in-setting-recently-launched-block-iif-satellite-healthy/) ::)
it will be soon. I'm expecting it will occur near or shortly after the next one launches because that is what heard the other day.
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As the article said, it is for an extended Nav test. Per IS-GPS-200G, par. 6.2.2.2.5, "These SVs will
provide at least 60 days of positioning service without contact from the CS."
I would wager than it'll be set healthy approximately 60 days from that Nav in March.
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SVN 64 was set healthy to users today.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2014047