LIVE Atlas V 401 - GPS IIF-12 - Canaveral SLC-41, February 5, 2016

[dawei]

2 Objects cataloged by USSTRATCOM:
2016-007A/41328 in 20438 x 20443 km x 55.04° (S/C)
2016-007B/41329 in 20450 x 21202 km x 55.22° (Centaur)

Is this a normal end state for the Centaur on a GPS mission?  I always assumed (showing my ignorance here) that they did an extra burn to lower the orbit to clear the GPS "airspace" from any potential future debris from the Centaur. 

[Sam Ho]

2 Objects cataloged by USSTRATCOM:
2016-007A/41328 in 20438 x 20443 km x 55.04° (S/C)
2016-007B/41329 in 20450 x 21202 km x 55.22° (Centaur)

Is this a normal end state for the Centaur on a GPS mission?  I always assumed (showing my ignorance here) that they did an extra burn to lower the orbit to clear the GPS "airspace" from any potential future debris from the Centaur.

Disposal orbit is almost the same as the last one: slightly above the GPS orbit.

2 objects have been catalogued by USSTRATCOM

2015-062A/41019 in 20426 x 20486 km x 55.03° (GPS IIF-11)
2015-062B/41020 in 20473 x 21713 km x 55.37° (Centaur)

[Colodie]

2 Objects cataloged by USSTRATCOM:
2016-007A/41328 in 20438 x 20443 km x 55.04° (S/C)
2016-007B/41329 in 20450 x 21202 km x 55.22° (Centaur)

Is this a normal end state for the Centaur on a GPS mission?  I always assumed (showing my ignorance here) that they did an extra burn to lower the orbit to clear the GPS "airspace" from any potential future debris from the Centaur.

Disposal orbit is almost the same as the last one: slightly above the GPS orbit.

2 objects have been catalogued by USSTRATCOM

2015-062A/41019 in 20426 x 20486 km x 55.03° (GPS IIF-11)
2015-062B/41020 in 20473 x 21713 km x 55.37° (Centaur)

Also, launches put the GPS satellites slightly above the active constellation (20,450km launch vs. 20,200km final), then the satellite lowers it's orbit.  So having the centaur go to a lower orbit would cause it to get closer. 

[jgoldader]

This is probably going to sound stupid, but while watching the launch replay, and again in the highlight video a few posts above, I saw what appears to be an object extending out of the payload shroud shortly after launch.  Whatever it is, it's there for many frames, it's not a video glitch.  Is it a ghost in the camera optics, or is it real, and if so, anybody know what it is?  I've attached a raw image plus one with the brightness enhanced.  I've watched many Atlas launches, don't remember seeing it before.  Thanks!

[DaveS]

This is probably going to sound stupid, but while watching the launch replay, and again in the highlight video a few posts above, I saw what appears to be an object extending out of the payload shroud shortly after launch.  Whatever it is, it's there for many frames, it's not a video glitch.  Is it a ghost in the camera optics, or is it real, and if so, anybody know what it is?  I've attached a raw image plus one with the brightness enhanced.  I've watched many Atlas launches, don't remember seeing it before.  Thanks!

Hydrogen vent fin for the Centaur.

[zubenelgenubi]

Has there been any news as to what happens to the processing facility where the GPS IIF satellites were processed, as this launch was the last of the series?

My understanding is that the IIFs were processed in the former DSCS Processing Facility.  It's also my understanding that the GPS IIIs will be processed in a commercial facility, either Astrotech or the SpaceX facilities.

Thank you in advance!

[russianhalo117]

Has there been any news as to what happens to the processing facility where the GPS IIF satellites were processed, as this launch was the last of the series?

My understanding is that the IIFs were processed in the former DSCS Processing Facility.  It's also my understanding that the GPS IIIs will be processed in a commercial facility, either Astrotech or the SpaceX facilities.

Thank you in advance!

it will eventually be demolished just like all of the former processing facilities. One USAF goal for US Government mission is to push and achieve a common processing facility architecture with standardized spacecraft and SC GSE processing requirements across all new spacecraft series minus Planetary and international scientific spacecraft to the minimum extent possible. For the time being and with the budget available Astrotech is the easiest option to meet those goals since the commercial market is low here at the moment.

[CarlG]

The fuel dump from the Centaur following deployment was captured in timelapse from Western Australia by Grahame Kelaher.

[Targeteer]

http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123468882


Final GPS IIF satellite joins constellation

by Space and Missile Systems Center
Public Affairs

2/12/2016 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE - EL SEGUNDO, Calif.  -- The 50th Space Wing accepted satellite control authority of the final Global Positioning System GPS IIF satellite from the GPS Directorate during a ceremony held Feb. 12 at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

Following its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Feb. 5, operators from the 50th and 310th Space Wings completed an extensive checkout of the satellite before placing it into its assigned orbital slot in the GPS constellation.

Operated by Air Force Space Command, the GPS constellation provides precise positioning, navigation and timing services worldwide 24-hours a day, seven days a week as a free utility to the world.

Col. Steve Whitney, Space and Missile Systems Center's director of the GPS Directorate, responsible for the acquisition of GPS satellites, started the ceremony by transferring satellite control authority of GPS IIF-12, as Space Vehicle Number 70, to the 14th Air Force.

"The addition of the final GPS IIF satellite to the constellation is a colossal triumph, as GPS IIF capabilities are crucial to modernizing the GPS constellation. On-going modernization efforts provide the constellation with improved timing, additional civil signals and increased protection," said Whitney. "GPS continues to be the 'Gold Standard,' providing precise positioning, navigation, and timing services to users around the globe."

"This launch of the last Block IIF GPS satellite marks a significant milestone for the program, which continues unprecedented support to our military forces and the general public," said Lt. Gen. David J. Buck, 14th Air Force commander and commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command. "

The capabilities enabled by the position, navigation and timing signals of the GPS constellation are ingrained into the fabric of our daily lives. From paying at the gas pump, to ATM withdrawals and precision farming; international banking or international shipping, GPS enables the modern way of life," said Buck. "It is also a critical component of delivering precise combat power in support of joint and coalition warfighter objectives, and I am pleased to make the constellation more robust and resilient than ever, ensuring we can continue to support America's warfighters well into the future."

Buck's comments were echoed by those who are now entrusted with the care and operation of the satellite.

"It's always a pleasure to transfer satellite control authority to the operators who will deliver those combat effects to the field," said Col. DeAnna M. Burt, 50th Space Wing commander. "GPS is always a little bit different thanks to the billions of civilian users who also engage this global utility."

Daily operation of the satellite is delegated to the 2nd Space Operations Squadron. GPS IIF satellites provide improved signal capabilities and increased user accuracy for military and civil users.

"We take great pride in commanding and controlling this constellation on a daily basis," said Lt. Col. Todd Benson, on behalf of the 2nd and 19th Space Operations Squadrons.  "This satellite is the last in a demanding schedule of IIF satellite launches; the units have teamed together to support six launches in just 18 months."

GPS IIF-12 (SVN-70) will replace the legacy SVN-41, which will be moved to another location and provide auxiliary support to the GPS constellation. The oldest GPS satellite in the constellation, SVN-23, has been removed from the broadcast almanac to make room for GPS IIF-12. Launched Nov. 26, 1990, SVN-23 was decommissioned after 25 years of service prior to the launch of GPS IIF-12.

"GPS IIF-12 marks the 12th satellite launched in under six years, between May 2010 and Feb. 2016, and the seventh in the last 21 months," stated Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, Space and Missile Systems Center commander and Air Force program executive officer for space. "This incredible track record is the result of the remarkable relationship between SMC, our operators within the 14th Air Force and our ULA/Boeing industry partners. Their continued tenacity and dedication to mission success ensures we continue to maintain a robust satellite constellation with modernized, more resilient GPS capabilities."

Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is the U.S. Air Force's center for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space-based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.

[Lewis007]

Another mission patch

[Colodie]

And the final IIF is in service

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2016022

NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2016022
SUBJ: SVN70 (PRN32) USABLE JDAY 069/0309
1. NANU TYPE: USABINIT
NANU NUMBER: 2016022
NANU DTG: 090310Z MAR 2016
REFERENCE NANU: N/A
REF NANU DTG: N/A
SVN: 70
PRN: 32
START JDAY: 069
START TIME ZULU: 0309
START CALENDAR DATE: 09 MAR 2016
STOP JDAY: N/A
STOP TIME ZULU: N/A
STOP CALENDAR DATE: N/A

2. CONDITION: GPS SATELLITE SVN70 (PRN32) WAS USABLE AS OF JDAY 069
(09 MAR 2016) BEGINNING 0309 ZULU.

3. POC: CIVILIAN - NAVCEN AT 703-313-5900, http://HTTP://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV
MILITARY - GPS OPERATIONS CENTER AT http://HTTPS://GPS.AFSPC.AF.MIL/GPSOC, DSN 560-2541,
COMM 719-567-2541, [email protected], http://HTTPS://GPS.AFSPC.AF.MIL
MILITARY ALTERNATE - JOINT SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER, DSN 276-3514,
COMM 805-606-3514, [email protected]