LIVE: Delta-IV-M+(4,2) - GPS IIF-6 - May 16th, 2014

[beidou]

This will be the second GPS launch in 2014.

Launch Article - by William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/ula-sixth-block-iif-gps-delta-iv/

Launch Coverage Sponsored by ATK:

[Jim]

I wouldn't start this threads until there is news to warrant them.  The manifest could shuffle missions.

[beidou]

It was said this satellite has already been in the launch site.

[russianhalo117]

It was said this satellite has already been in the launch site.

do we know the SVN number GPS IIF-6 yet.

[macpacheco]

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't believe this launch will happen before the end of the year.
The GPS constellation is doing too well to replace more satellites just because we can.
No, that's not my thought, that's the USAF 2nd SOPS mode of operation, specially during a period when military budgets are being questioned.
Each new GPS satellite costs (including launch costs) about one billion dollars.
That's a lot of money to spent without need.
The other reason is the next launch needs to happen after IIF-5 is tested, activated in healthy mode and monitored for a while. That's about 3 months.

[Jim]

1.  I hope I'm wrong, but I don't believe this launch will happen before the end of the year.

2.  Each new GPS satellite costs (including launch costs) about one billion dollars.

1.  Wrong, the launch vehicle and spacecraft are already at the launch site.  And it is the next launch.  There will be at least 2 more this year

2.  wrong by at least a factor of 2 and closer to 3.

[Jim]

No, that's not my thought, that's the USAF 2nd SOPS mode of operation, specially during a period when military budgets are being questioned.

the 2nd SOPS has no say in it, they are not responsible for making such decisions.

[Targeteer]

No, that's not my thought, that's the USAF 2nd SOPS mode of operation, specially during a period when military budgets are being questioned.

the 2nd SOPS has no say in it, they are not responsible for making such decisions.

Isn't their role being part of the process/team that recommends which slot to launch into based on constellation health and requirements as well as "flying" the birds as well?  Don't get me started on space jockeys wearing flight suits 

[Jim]

\
Isn't their role being part of the process/team that recommends which slot to launch into based on constellation health and requirements as well as "flying" the birds as well?  Don't get me started on space jockeys wearing flight suits 

But not the whole architecture and maintaining it.

[macpacheco]

No, that's not my thought, that's the USAF 2nd SOPS mode of operation, specially during a period when military budgets are being questioned.

the 2nd SOPS has no say in it, they are not responsible for making such decisions.

Isn't their role being part of the process/team that recommends which slot to launch into based on constellation health and requirements as well as "flying" the birds as well?  Don't get me started on space jockeys wearing flight suits 

Humm... Here's my real point. Now that SpaceX is becoming a bigger threat to ULA, and that ULA has a contract for a guaranteed bunch of launches, out of a sudden they're launching, fast.

Just launching another 4 IIF birds would place the constellation at 12 IIR, 7 IIRM, SVN49, 9 IIF, or 28 healthy birds (with SVN49 a questionable reserve), none of the IIR have health problems.

It would be enough healthy birds to execute the current official 24+3 plan (plus one healthy bird plus SVN49) while decommissioning all IIA birds.

I know Jim, I don't have proof of that, ULA wouldn't be stupid enough to let people know how many congressman and senators they have in their pocket. But I don't believe in coincidences.

I would actually love if they launched all remaining IIF and the first 4 IIIA, but why now ?

Finally, I'm still doubtful, this aggressive schedule will be met.

The last year 3 birds were launched in a single year, was 2004.

Perhaps the other thinking is, let's launch now that we have the budget, before they take it away from us.
Anyhow, it's not a technical decision, it's politics.

The only factor that is technical is the solar maximum is ending, so launching quickly maximize longevity.

[Jim]

1.  Humm... Here's my real point. Now that SpaceX is becoming a bigger threat to ULA, and that ULA has a contract for a guaranteed bunch of launches, out of a sudden they're launching, fast.

2. I know Jim, I don't have proof of that, ULA wouldn't be stupid enough to let people know how many congressman and senators they have in their pocket. But I don't believe in coincidences.

3.  Perhaps the other thinking is, let's launch now that we have the budget, before they take it away from us.
Anyhow, it's not a technical decision, it's politics.

1.  Wrong, they really aren't.  They aren't "out of a sudden they're launching, fast", especially Delta IV.  The increased Atlas flight rates have been planned for a long time.  The merger and manufacturing consolidation has been hampering this.

2.  They don't have any in their pocket.  that is nonsense.  And shows a lack of understanding the industry.  ULA doesn't control its destiny, Boeing and LM do and the launch business is not important to them

3.  Nonsense, they are only launching what the DOD tells them to launch and when.  They have no input in the manifest, unless it is a commercial mission.  They don't have the control.  All the DOD spacecraft programs are individually controlled by separate program offices with separate budgets which are controlled by congress.  ULA is the tail, which can't wag the dog.  Even if ULA could launch one vehicle per week, they still would have only DOD business for 2 months or so per year.  The DOD spacecraft have programmed production rates and constellation replenishments.

This is just another one of your overboard posts, which includes nonsensical ones like predicting that ULA will go away in 10 years.

[Robotbeat]

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't believe this launch will happen before the end of the year.
The GPS constellation is doing too well to replace more satellites just because we can.
No, that's not my thought, that's the USAF 2nd SOPS mode of operation, specially during a period when military budgets are being questioned.
Each new GPS satellite costs (including launch costs) about one billion dollars.
That's a lot of money to spent without need.
The other reason is the next launch needs to happen after IIF-5 is tested, activated in healthy mode and monitored for a while. That's about 3 months.

Are you kidding me??
At least a billion people use GPS (there's GPS in every smartphone and many other phones and tablets, too... plus ATMs use GPS for time synchronization, etc...). Maintaining and upgrading and ensuring the continued reliability of the GPS constellation isn't just a good idea for national security, it's fundamental to the infrastructure of the entire world at this point, not to mention the high-tech American economy (including, of course, aviation). Heck, a huge number of tractors these days depend on GPS and are partially self-driving, so even our food supply is dependent.

Even if it did cost a billion or two per satellite, it'd be well worth it. Luckily, it doesn't cost nearly that much.

[USFdon]

Drifting into another ULA v. SpaceX doesn't really add much to this thread...

[WHAP]

We've drifted, all right, but I'm not sure where....

[macpacheco]

It was said this satellite has already been in the launch site.

do we know the SVN number GPS IIF-6 yet.

SVN67 PRN06 per http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/sathtml/satinfo.html

[beidou]

Countdown of GPS IIF-6 ong GPS.GOV.

[beidou]

[jacqmans]

Delta IV to Launch GPS IIF-6

GPS IIF-6 Mission ArtworkRocket/Payload:  A Delta IV M+ (4,2) will launch the GPS IIF-6 mission for the U.S. Air Force.

Date/Site/Launch Time: Thursday, May 15, 2014, from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The 19-minute launch window opens at 8:07 p.m. EDT.

Mission Description: GPS IIF-6 is one of the next-generation GPS satellites, incorporating various improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased signals, and enhanced performance for users.

Launch Notes: GPS IIF-6 will be ULA’s fifth launch of 2014 and 82nd overall. It also will mark the 26th flight of the Delta IV launch vehicle since its inaugural flight in November 2002.

Viewing the Launch by Webcast: The live launch webcast will begin at 7:47 p.m. EDT.

Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321 or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch and twitter.com/ulalaunch; hashtag #GPSIIF6.

Go Delta! GPS IIF-6!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

One launch misses, another launch comes in line........ 

Launch time for GPS IIF-6 has slightly moved to 8:08 pm EDT on May 15, 2 minutes after sunset!  Included is the ULA mission booklet (new design!).

One question - it seems that this time the Delta IV will fly north and uses a 2 second stage burn profile to get the GPS satellite into orbit - unlike the last 4 times the GPS Block IIF satellites fly on the Delta IV (but roughly follows the profile GPS IIF-4 flew on an Atlas V last year) - I wonder why? 

[sdsds]

Predicted weather for May 15 now appears on the Patrick Air Force Base "Space Port Weekly Forecast."