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Delta-IV-M+(4,2) - GPS IIF-3 - October 4, 2012 (1210UTC)
by
jacqmans
on 26 Jul, 2012 20:33
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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.
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#1
by
HIPAR
on 01 Aug, 2012 06:21
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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
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#2
by
HIPAR
on 20 Aug, 2012 11:35
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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
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#3
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 21 Aug, 2012 22:57
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#4
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 05 Sep, 2012 20:50
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#5
by
sdsds
on 06 Sep, 2012 05:38
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Is there information on what alternate launch dates would be possible if, just hypothetically, ULA yielded the range (to SpaceX) for Oct 5th?
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#6
by
robertross
on 09 Sep, 2012 15:19
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#7
by
sdsds
on 12 Sep, 2012 04:18
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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?
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#8
by
robertross
on 12 Sep, 2012 11:04
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#9
by
DaveS
on 12 Sep, 2012 11:35
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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.
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#10
by
Jim
on 12 Sep, 2012 11:37
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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
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#11
by
robertross
on 12 Sep, 2012 16:06
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#12
by
robertross
on 13 Sep, 2012 01:39
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just a 'shot in the dark'
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#13
by
robertross
on 20 Sep, 2012 11:31
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#14
by
HIPAR
on 26 Sep, 2012 02:10
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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
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#15
by
Jim
on 26 Sep, 2012 02:36
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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.
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#16
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 01 Oct, 2012 05:14
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A few photos of the GPS satellite encapusled and stacked on top, via ULA:
(see ULA's web photo gallery for more)
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#17
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 01 Oct, 2012 22:13
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#18
by
Prober
on 01 Oct, 2012 23:47
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But where are the pics with Jim?
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#19
by
kevin-rf
on 02 Oct, 2012 12:45
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It's not a NASA payload, so I wouldn't cross my fingers on a Jim Photo Bomb.
