Delta-IV-M+(4,2) - GPS IIF-3 - October 4, 2012 (1210UTC)

[jacqmans]

Boeing Ships 3rd GPS IIF Satellite to Cape Canaveral for Launch

IIF series sustaining and modernizing US Air Force GPS constellation
 
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 25, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on July 9 shipped the third of 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellites for the U.S. Air Force from the company's Satellite Development Center in El Segundo to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a Boeing-built C-17 Globemaster III airlifter.
 
SVN-65 is scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket. It will join the first and second Boeing-built GPS IIF satellites, launched May 27, 2010, and July 16, 2011, to continue the sustainment and modernization of the GPS network.
 
"As each IIF satellite becomes operational, we continue the seamless transformation of the GPS constellation into an even more accurate, reliable and durable navigation resource for the U.S. military and the global civilian user community," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "Our efficient pulse-line manufacturing process, adapted from Boeing's commercial airplane production lines, also ensures that we deliver each spacecraft on time and on cost."
 
SVN-65 will now undergo preflight checkout, fueling and integration to prepare for the early October launch. When on orbit, it will be controlled by the Operational Control Segment, the GPS network’s ground control system. Developed by a Boeing-led team, the OCS entered service in 2007 and was turned over to the Air Force 50th Space Wing in April 2011.
 
GPS IIF features greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology, a more secure and jam-resistant signal for the military, and a protected, more precise, and interference-free civilian L5 signal for commercial aviation and search-and-rescue operations. Other enhancements to the IIF include an extended 12-year design life and a re-programmable on-orbit processor that can receive software uploads for improved system operation.
 
Of the remaining nine IIFs that Boeing is building for the Air Force, three are complete and in storage, and six are being assembled and tested.
 

[HIPAR]

I ran my GPS tracking simulator with it set to the scheduled launch window plus about 90 minutes. That is roughly the time GPS IIF-3 will arrive at the GPS constellation.

GPS Plane A satellites will be orbiting in the general area of space craft separation.

Plane A, Position1 is currently guarded by two GPS IIA satellites SV27 (PRN27) and SV39 (PRN09).  They are showing their ages.

SV27 was launched way back on 9 September 1992!  Although it's constantly one of the poorest performing satellites, it remains perfectly useful.  I'm thinking it's to be replaced.

Evidently GPS IIF-3 refers to the order of launching but in the order of manufacture it will be SV65 because SV64 has been sidelined for additional work.

---  CHAS

[HIPAR]

The Delta IV booster that will launch GPS IIF-3 has arrived at the pad.

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d361/rollout.html

'Known as the GPS 2F-3 satellite, this newest spacecraft will take the place of the GPS 2A-21 bird that was launched by a Delta 2 rocket on June 26, 1993 and began its remarkably long-lasting service life on July 21, 1993.'

GPS 2A-21 (SV39) resides at Plane A1.  It currently transmits PRN09.

---  CHAS

[Ronsmytheiii]

[Ronsmytheiii]

[sdsds]

Is there information on what alternate launch dates would be possible if, just hypothetically, ULA yielded the range (to SpaceX) for Oct 5th?

[robertross]

[sdsds]

In this image it appears some of the scaffolding around the solids (perhaps at their forward attach points?) has been moved away from the vehicle. Is that simply an indication the attachment/inspection is complete?

[robertross]

[DaveS]

In this image it appears some of the scaffolding around the solids (perhaps at their forward attach points?) has been moved away from the vehicle. Is that simply an indication the attachment/inspection is complete?

There's a WDR scheduled for today. So that's why the MST has been retracted to the park position.

[Jim]

In this image it appears some of the scaffolding around the solids (perhaps at their forward attach points?) has been moved away from the vehicle. Is that simply an indication the attachment/inspection is complete?

WDR

[robertross]

[robertross]

just a 'shot in the dark'

[robertross]

[HIPAR]

Can't determine if the satellite has been hoisted aboard the rocket.  With only nine days to the currently scheduled launch, this should happen soon.

There's a GPS ground station at CCAFS with both monitoring and telecommand capabilities.  I suspect there will be extensive end to end testing between the GPS operations center in Colorado and GPS IIF-3 atop the rocket before a readiness 'GO' to initiate a count down is authorized.

Meanwhile, a FCSTDV (velocity change) has been scheduled for the satellite (SVN39) to be replaced.  Probably, it's being moved out of the way to be decommissioned and become a Plane A spare.  It's still usable after 19 years on orbit!

---  CHAS

[Jim]

Can't determine if the satellite has been hoisted aboard the rocket.  With only nine days to the currently scheduled launch, this should happen soon.

There's a GPS ground station at CCAFS with both monitoring and telecommand capabilities.  I suspect there will be extensive end to end testing between the GPS operations center in Colorado and GPS IIF-3 atop the rocket before a readiness 'GO' to initiate a count down is authorized.

It is on top.

That testing was done before it is integrated with the launch vehicle. 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

A few photos of the GPS satellite encapusled and stacked on top, via ULA:

(see ULA's web photo gallery for more)

[Ronsmytheiii]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=26203792&l=4678ca0343&id=482808580011

[Prober]

But where are the pics with Jim?

[kevin-rf]

It's not a NASA payload, so I wouldn't cross my fingers on a Jim Photo Bomb.