The official launch announcement:
NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2011047
SUBJ: SVN63 (PRN01) LAUNCH JDAY 197
1. NANU TYPE: LAUNCH
NANU NUMBER: 2011047
NANU DTG: 160718Z JUL 2011
SVN: 63
PRN: 01
LAUNCH JDAY: 197
LAUNCH TIME ZULU: 0641
2. GPS SATELLITE SVN63 (PRN1) WAS LAUNCHED ON JDAY 197
THIS SATELLITE WILL UNDERGO EXTENSIVE ON-ORBIT CHECK OUT PRIOR TO BEING SET HEALTHY.
A USABINIT NANU WILL BE SENT WHEN THE SATELITTE IS SET ACTIVE TO SERVICE.
3. POC: CIVILIAN - NAVCEN AT 703-313-5900,
http://HTTP://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV MILITARY - GPS OPERATIONS CENTER AT
http://HTTP://gps.afspc.af.mil/GPSOC, DSN 560-2541,
COMM 719-567-2541,
[email protected],
http://HTTP://gps.afspc.af.mil/GPSOC/GPS MILITARY ALTERNATE - JOINT SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER, DSN 276-3514. COMM 805-606-3514.
[email protected]--- CHAS
Oh mama....
http://www.launchphotography.com/GPS_2F-2.html
Ben is an absolute master of the art. I wonder though, is he not allowed to site cameras at the pad for these ULA launches? (Not that it matters when he can produce stunning images such as these from across the river.)
- Ed Kyle
Oh mama....
http://www.launchphotography.com/GPS_2F-2.html
Ben is an absolute master of the art. I wonder though, is he not allowed to site cameras at the pad for these ULA launches? (Not that it matters when he can produce stunning images such as these from across the river.)
- Ed Kyle
Maybe something prevented him from setting up his pad cameras this time? On his site he has several pad camera shots from previous ULA launches. In any case they're still great photos.
Relative track positions of satellites in GPS Plane D .. simulation including new two line element set for 2011-036B (Object B):
--- CHAS
Oh mama....
http://www.launchphotography.com/GPS_2F-2.html
Ben is an absolute master of the art. I wonder though, is he not allowed to site cameras at the pad for these ULA launches? (Not that it matters when he can produce stunning images such as these from across the river.)
- Ed Kyle
Maybe something prevented him from setting up his pad cameras this time? On his site he has several pad camera shots from previous ULA launches. In any case they're still great photos.
We are all (press) allowed to setup cameras at various places near the launch pad, usually the day before launch they will take us out there. Could simply be he wasn't able to get there during the setup times, especially with the delays.
And here's my attempt at having a remote camera setup. Once again, I need to thank Alan Walters for his assistance setting up my camera, as I wasn't able to get over there due to work at the setup times. Unfortunately, the lens fogged with the humid weather and rain, but this time at least we know the system worked right. Hopefully bodes well for the future and getting some great shots!
Anyone know why the mission patch looks like the Autobot (Transformers) symbol?
Transformers, GPS in disguise
Well, Jim did once post that satellites are the ultimate transformers, maybe Boeing has been reading his posts and got the hint
Larry, nice shot (1122) do you have more like those before launch photos ? I love to see more
Larry, nice shot (1122) do you have more like those before launch photos ? I love to see more
Sorry Jacques that's the only one. I wasn't able to get over there when they took media out to the pad, and I think this was just a test shot for focus and all, hopefully if the Atlas in August goes on time I'll be there for everything, and will have lots of shots!
Does anyone know where I can request/buy a pin/patch of the mission logo?
GPS IIF-2 (SVN63) developed a problem with its cesium atomic frequency standard so the system operators activated an alternate rubidium standard. The satellite was finally set usable.
NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2011085
SUBJ: SVN63 (PRN1) USABLE JDAY 287/1953
1. NANU TYPE: USABINIT
NANU NUMBER: 2011085
NANU DTG: 142008Z OCT 2011
REFERENCE NANU: N/A
REF NANU DTG: N/A
SVN: 63
PRN: 1
START JDAY: 287
START TIME ZULU: 1953
START CALENDAR DATE: 14 OCT 2011
STOP JDAY: N/A
STOP TIME ZULU: N/A
STOP CALENDAR DATE: N/A
2. CONDITION: GPS SATELLITE SVN63 (PRN1) WAS USABLE AS OF JDAY 287
(14 OCT 2011) BEGINNING 1953 ZULU.
--- CHAS
The Signal In Space (SIS) error for a GPS satellite consists of two components. The ephemeris error relates to the satellite ability to maintain a precise orbit. The clock error relates to the stability of the atomic frequency standard. Both of these parameters are continuously monitored and frequently calibrated by the master control station.
Attached is the SIS performance for the GPS constellation issued for 01 Nov 11. The PRN is a binary signal sequence that identifies the individual satellites.
GPS IIF-2 sends PRN01. It has been exhibiting a SIS error that's three times the error of the first Bock IIF satellite (GPS IIF-1) sending on PRN25.
Interestingly, GPS IIA-10, sending PRN32, consistently outperforms the newest satellite. That satellite was launched way back in Nov 1990.
Perhaps the GPS system operators are still 'fine tuning' the new satellite. They need to get these kinds of things under control to achieve expected modernized standards.
--- CHAS
The Signal In Space (SIS) error for a GPS satellite consists of two components ...
Interesting post - thanks for that.
