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LIVE: Delta-IV-M+(4,2) - GPS IIF-6 - May 16th, 2014
by
beidou
on 16 May, 2013 19:51
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#1
by
Jim
on 16 May, 2013 19:56
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I wouldn't start this threads until there is news to warrant them. The manifest could shuffle missions.
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#2
by
beidou
on 21 Feb, 2014 18:06
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It was said this satellite has already been in the launch site.
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#3
by
russianhalo117
on 21 Feb, 2014 19:22
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It was said this satellite has already been in the launch site.
do we know the SVN number GPS IIF-6 yet.
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#4
by
macpacheco
on 24 Feb, 2014 14:39
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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.
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#5
by
Jim
on 24 Feb, 2014 14:44
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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.
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#6
by
Jim
on 24 Feb, 2014 14:45
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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.
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#7
by
Targeteer
on 24 Feb, 2014 20:52
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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
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#8
by
Jim
on 25 Feb, 2014 00:14
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\
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.
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#9
by
macpacheco
on 26 Feb, 2014 14:53
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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.
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#10
by
Jim
on 26 Feb, 2014 15:07
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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.
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#11
by
Robotbeat
on 26 Feb, 2014 23:17
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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.
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#12
by
USFdon
on 27 Feb, 2014 01:13
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Drifting into another ULA v. SpaceX doesn't really add much to this thread...
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#13
by
WHAP
on 27 Feb, 2014 02:16
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We've drifted, all right, but I'm not sure where....
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#14
by
macpacheco
on 28 Feb, 2014 20:30
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#15
by
beidou
on 28 Apr, 2014 18:31
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Countdown of GPS IIF-6 ong GPS.GOV.
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#16
by
beidou
on 02 May, 2014 21:17
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#17
by
jacqmans
on 03 May, 2014 08:30
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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!
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#18
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 09 May, 2014 17:24
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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?
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#19
by
sdsds
on 10 May, 2014 03:23
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Predicted weather for May 15 now appears on the Patrick Air Force Base "Space Port Weekly Forecast."
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#20
by
jacqmans
on 12 May, 2014 15:02
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#21
by
jacqmans
on 12 May, 2014 23:43
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ULA Update L-3 days:
Everything is progressing toward the Air Force’s GPS IIF-6 launch. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Delta IV rocket on Thursday, May 15 from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 18-minute launch window opens at 8:08 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 30 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
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#22
by
jacqmans
on 13 May, 2014 13:41
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#23
by
jacqmans
on 13 May, 2014 13:43
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The Launch Hazard Area for the May 15 Delta IV GPS IIF-06 launch
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#24
by
Moonbase_Alphan
on 13 May, 2014 15:50
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The 18-minute launch window opens at 8:08 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 30 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
any info on the launch window times for Friday?
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#25
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 13 May, 2014 16:03
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The 18-minute launch window opens at 8:08 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 30 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
any info on the launch window times for Friday?
Expect the launch windows to shift about 4 minutes earlier per day of slipping.
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#26
by
jacqmans
on 13 May, 2014 20:26
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May 13, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
45th Space Wing to Launch Sixth GPS Block IIF satellite May 15
Launch window: 8:08-8:26 p.m. EDT
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. – The U.S. Air Force is scheduled to launch a United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Medium rocket carrying the sixth Global Positioning System IIF satellite at 8:08 p.m. May 15 from Space Launch Complex 37 here. The launch window extends until 8:26 p.m.
GPS IIF-6 is the sixth in a series of next-generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing satellites positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface.
Every modern GPS satellite has been launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
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#27
by
jacqmans
on 13 May, 2014 21:50
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#28
by
kevin-rf
on 14 May, 2014 00:41
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Every modern GPS satellite has been launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Gotta love the qualifier... Considering the first 11 Block I's launched from Vandenberg on converted Atlas ICBM's.
Anywhoo... Go Delta!!! Kinda wondah-inn if I cahn spot dah launch from Bahhhst-inn
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#29
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 14 May, 2014 00:49
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The launch team mission patch:
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#30
by
Chris Bergin
on 14 May, 2014 02:11
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ULA:
The Launch Readiness Review will be held tomorrow for the Air Force’s GPS IIF-6 launch. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Delta IV rocket on Thursday, May 15 from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The 18-minute launch window opens at 8:08 p.m. EDT. Today’s L-2 forecast continues to show a 30 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.
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#31
by
jacqmans
on 14 May, 2014 14:47
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ULA@ulalaunch
ULA Launch Readiness Review is complete. #GPSIIF6 is set to launch on a #DeltaIV tomorrow! Window opens @ 8:08 pm EDT
http://www.ulalaunch.com/
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#32
by
siweifdu
on 15 May, 2014 03:16
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Excuse me. I am puzzled by the slot that the GPS satellites are launched into. For example, for the IIF-5 satellite, people said it is going to replace the satellite in slot A3. However, it is launched into slot A6 according to the list on wikipedia. Is the new satellite going to finish test in slot A6 and then move to slot A3 after the retirement of the old one, or it is going to remain in A6, or A6 is going to be renamed A3?
The same situation seems to be here for IIF-6 satellite, it is said to replace the satellite in D4 slot while no notice is given in the GPS status notice. The only vacant slot in plane D is D6. Will the satellite enter D6 after launch just like IIF-5 entered A6 in Feb?
Thanks for the help~
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#33
by
chewi
on 15 May, 2014 04:22
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#34
by
sdsds
on 15 May, 2014 04:41
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Has anyone seen a timeline for MST rollback? Based on prior missions I'm guessing ~8:45 am local time. Would that be about right? Will any known webcams be showing it?
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#35
by
Chris Bergin
on 15 May, 2014 11:30
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Moved for live coverage. William Graham's excellent launch article coming shortly.
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#36
by
anik
on 15 May, 2014 11:43
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Is the new satellite going to finish test in slot A6 and then move to slot A3 after the retirement of the old one, or it is going to remain in A6, or A6 is going to be renamed A3?
A6 will be renamed to A3, A3 will be renamed to A6, A3 is close to A6.
Will the satellite enter D6 after launch just like IIF-5 entered A6 in Feb?
Yes. D6 will be close to D4. Then D6 will be renamed to D4, D4 will be renamed to D6.
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#37
by
Chris Bergin
on 15 May, 2014 12:37
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#38
by
Jim
on 15 May, 2014 12:42
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Has anyone seen a timeline for MST rollback? Based on prior missions I'm guessing ~8:45 am local time. Would that be about right? Will any known webcams be showing it?
11ish
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#39
by
siweifdu
on 15 May, 2014 14:14
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Is the new satellite going to finish test in slot A6 and then move to slot A3 after the retirement of the old one, or it is going to remain in A6, or A6 is going to be renamed A3?
A6 will be renamed to A3, A3 will be renamed to A6, A3 is close to A6.
Will the satellite enter D6 after launch just like IIF-5 entered A6 in Feb?
Yes. D6 will be close to D4. Then D6 will be renamed to D4, D4 will be renamed to D6.
Thanks Anik. Those clear the my puzzle. According to your information, it seems that the slot 6 in each plane is a 'flexible' and temporary one. The actual position depends on the slot of the satellite that is going to be replaced and the designation will change to the corresponding one once the old one outages. The satellite in A3 is going to outage in the next few days and hope we can see the change on the official GPS website
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#40
by
anik
on 15 May, 2014 14:25
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The satellite in A3 is going to outage in the next few days and hope we can see the change on the official GPS website
I think that SVN38 outage relates to maintenance and does not relate to slot's name changes.
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#41
by
Colodie
on 15 May, 2014 15:17
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The satellite in A3 is going to outage in the next few days and hope we can see the change on the official GPS website
I think that SVN38 outage relates to maintenance and does not relate to slot's name changes.
Yes. However, SVN 39 in A5 has a Forecast Unusable UFN. I suspect you'll get a DECOM NANU shortly after SVN 67 launches.
Same thing happened with SVN 36 when 64 launched.
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#42
by
Targeteer
on 15 May, 2014 18:07
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Viewing opportunity TLEs from SEESAT website
http://www.satobs.org/seesat/May-2014/0096.htmlThis is my estimate of the transfer orbit over UK & Europe tonight,
assuming launch at 0008 UT; probably within 2 minutes.
1 90000U 14500A 14136.00400000 .00000000 00000-0 00000+0 0 00
2 90000 55.0000 134.0700 6032000 35.6000 352.6158 4.07217600 08
Mike Waterman
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#43
by
leetdan
on 15 May, 2014 19:38
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This morning's
45th WS forecast was 70% chance of violating, and
radar is showing a heavy cell about an hour away from the cape. At which point would the threat of lightning impact tanking ops?
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#44
by
anik
on 15 May, 2014 19:41
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However, SVN 39 in A5 has a Forecast Unusable UFN. I suspect you'll get a DECOM NANU shortly after SVN 67 launches
So it is possible that SVN38 will get A5 (not A6) slot after SVN39 retiring and SVN64 commissioning.
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#45
by
jacqmans
on 15 May, 2014 19:42
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It is raining here (Titusville) for more than an hour now... with some lightning also....
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#46
by
Ronpur50
on 15 May, 2014 19:51
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It is raining here (Titusville) for more than an hour now... with some lightning also....
As it is here where I am at, east of Orlando.....so expect some more to come your way.
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#47
by
jacqmans
on 15 May, 2014 20:19
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KSC just went into Tornado warning mode....
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#48
by
kneecaps
on 15 May, 2014 21:44
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Would anybody know the mass of the vehicle following at the start of the second stage and after the first second stage cutoff?
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#49
by
Targeteer
on 15 May, 2014 22:04
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#50
by
Targeteer
on 15 May, 2014 22:28
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a little later--moving out to sea but will it clear in time?
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#51
by
Hunt101
on 15 May, 2014 22:31
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8:09pm Local is the new T-0.
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#52
by
Targeteer
on 15 May, 2014 22:35
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#53
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 15 May, 2014 23:11
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It's still raining heavily at the Cape, and while the storm's moving steadily east, the edge of the storm has just cleared the Orlando city center. Could be a very close call but I don't think it will launch today...
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#54
by
Orbiter
on 15 May, 2014 23:12
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Via SFN:
SCRUB! The weather is not going to cooperate with a launch of the Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral tonight. The launch team will begin a 24-hour recycle of the countdown and try again Friday evening at 8:04 p.m. EDT.
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#55
by
IanO
on 15 May, 2014 23:25
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Someone in the area saw a smaller sounding rocket go up at around 4:30. Is this a standard procedure for launches from the Cape? High altitude wind monitoring, perhaps?
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#56
by
Chris Bergin
on 15 May, 2014 23:25
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Oh well:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 15, 2014) – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV carrying the Air Force’s Global Positioning System IIF-6 payload was scrubbed today due to the violation of multiple weather criteria. The launch is rescheduled for Friday, May 16 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch time is 8:03 p.m. EDT. The forecast for May 16 shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch tomorrow.
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#57
by
jacqmans
on 16 May, 2014 01:40
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Another mission related patch
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#58
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 16 May, 2014 10:28
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Overall, this has been a very, very bad two weeks for space-flight fans.
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#59
by
Star One
on 16 May, 2014 12:44
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Overall, this has been a very, very bad two weeks for space-flight fans.
That sir is an understatement.
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#60
by
LouScheffer
on 16 May, 2014 13:08
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Overall, this has been a very, very bad two weeks for space-flight fans.
Let me play Devil's advocate on this.
The worst piece of news is the Proton failure. But it didn't kill anyone, destroy the pad, poison the environment, nor lose a one-of-a-kind scientific mission.
Delta got delayed by weather. But it's a GPS satellite with no rush. They'll try again today.
Falcon blew a gasket, or whatever. But they found it on the pad, not in flight, they're only grounded a few weeks, and getting set to try again.
Two companies are fighting over who get what launches, in the courts, in Congress, and in public opinion. But this is a very good sign for the industry - there *are* two companies, and the market is big enough to fight over. You don't catch Apple and Samsung fighting over rotary telephones.
The USA and the Russians are squabbling over sole-source technology (stage combustion engines, access to space station, etc.) But this situation is what drives additional sources (commercial crew, a US engine, etc.) Then we can progress to the much better phase of lawsuits over market share.
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#61
by
jacqmans
on 16 May, 2014 13:12
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Everything looks good for Delta-IV later today.
Here two photos I took yesterday.
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#62
by
robertross
on 16 May, 2014 14:10
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Everything looks good for Delta-IV later today.
Here two photos I took yesterday.
Great photos Jacques! Thanks. Really like the first one (great perspective & foreground inclusion)
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#63
by
jacqmans
on 16 May, 2014 15:25
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Everything looks good for Delta-IV later today.
Here two photos I took yesterday.
Great photos Jacques! Thanks. Really like the first one (great perspective & foreground inclusion)
Thanks Robert, I now see I made a typo.. 2004 instead of 2014.... hope to have launch photos later....
Jacques
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#64
by
macpacheco
on 16 May, 2014 18:49
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Excuse me. I am puzzled by the slot that the GPS satellites are launched into. For example, for the IIF-5 satellite, people said it is going to replace the satellite in slot A3. However, it is launched into slot A6 according to the list on wikipedia. Is the new satellite going to finish test in slot A6 and then move to slot A3 after the retirement of the old one, or it is going to remain in A6, or A6 is going to be renamed A3?
The same situation seems to be here for IIF-6 satellite, it is said to replace the satellite in D4 slot while no notice is given in the GPS status notice. The only vacant slot in plane D is D6. Will the satellite enter D6 after launch just like IIF-5 entered A6 in Feb?
Thanks for the help~
Edit to redo my confusing explanation... I hope this will make sense.
The constellation performance standards require just 27 healthy satellites in 27 individual orbits.
But the GPS constellation has managed to keep 30 or 31 healthy satellites at pretty much all times for the last decade or so. Until OCX is operational, there is a 31 satellite limit on the GPS almanac (and a 32 PRN code limit as well).
This enabled the GPS operators to use a pair of IIAs or a IIA+IIR in lieu of a newer satellite for some of the orbital spots.
Right now there is one spot with a three GPS birds (PRN3+PRN19+PRN27) doing the job of two birds, and a spot with 4 GPS birds (PRN7+PRN8+PRN9-about to be shutdown+PRN30-in testing) doing the job of two birds
When a new satellite is launched, it undergoes a testing period, for which it's not operational, but requires a spot in the almanac, so instead of shutting down the older satellite that will be replaced, they keep the old running and the new in testing, then keep both running when testing is complete and only shutdown the old one when they need to free up PRNs for another launch.
I invite you to take a look at a visualization of the GPS constellation status from the WAAS status site:
http://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/incoming/waas_sats.png - updates every 2 minutes or so
Or the last full 24 hour animation (I think 6AM to 6AM EST):
http://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/incoming/SV_WaasStatus.aviThe scarce resource when managing the current GPS constellation is almanac can only broadcast 31 satellites. Right now there are 30 healthy sats on the almanac + PRN30 (IIF-5) unhealthy, with PRN9 about to be shutdown to allow PRN6 to take its place in the GPS almanac.
So by the time the next GPS satellite launches, I expect SVN33/PRN3 to be shutdown to free up almanac space, and PRN9 to be assigned for IIF-7.
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#65
by
jacqmans
on 16 May, 2014 19:52
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L-4:16: Common Booster Core Liquid Hydrogen Loading has started, The CBC is loaded with a total of 200,000kg of propellants.
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#66
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 20:49
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#67
by
jacqmans
on 16 May, 2014 20:53
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LOX & LH2 now flowing inside the Upper Stage. The DCSS is being loaded with a total of 21,320kg of Propellant for launch.
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#68
by
input~2
on 16 May, 2014 21:06
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Updated launch hazard area
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#69
by
LouScheffer
on 16 May, 2014 21:10
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What do they do with the second stage? I'd guess put it into a slightly higher disposal orbit, but that's just a guess.....
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#70
by
input~2
on 16 May, 2014 21:14
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Navigational warning
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 170003Z TO 170100Z MAY,
ALTERNATE 172359Z TO 180056Z MAY
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-34N 080-34W, 28-42N 080-24W,
28-46N 080-17W, 28-45N 080-16W,
28-40N 080-17W, 28-37N 080-19W,
28-33N 080-25W, 28-30N 080-33W,
28-33N 080-34W.
B. 29-19N 079-45W, 29-13N 079-38W,
29-03N 079-49W, 29-10N 079-55W.
C. 43-53N 055-39W, 44-53N 052-59W,
44-42N 052-52W, 43-40N 055-33W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 342/14.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 180156Z MAY 14.//
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#71
by
Rocket Science
on 16 May, 2014 21:36
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Tanking complete...
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#72
by
Targeteer
on 16 May, 2014 22:14
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Radar image is looking much better-perfect in fact--tonight
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#73
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:23
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Everything is Hunky Dory with ULA:
Everything is proceeding for the launch tonight of the Air Force’s GPS IIF-6 satellite at 8:03 p.m. eastern. The team is not currently working any technical issues.
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#74
by
rcoppola
on 16 May, 2014 23:30
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#75
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:34
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#76
by
Rocket Science
on 16 May, 2014 23:43
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Spacecraft on internal power...
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#77
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:43
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Here we go boys and girls!
Whoa, did someone stretch her or if that aspect ratio hilarious?
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#78
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:44
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Anyone got a VLC link that will bypass this nonsense ratio?
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#79
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:45
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#80
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:46
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#81
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:46
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Fixed the ratio. Right click, change ratio to "fit" and not "stretch"
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#82
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:47
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#83
by
PahTo
on 16 May, 2014 23:48
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I'm experiencing the same thing--going to "full screen" brings the proper aspect, but not full screen.
Just glad to tune in though...
btw, excellent article by William Graham--the amount of detail is great!
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#84
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:48
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Some pretty angles from yesterday.
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#85
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:53
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L-10 mins.
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#86
by
Mapperuo
on 16 May, 2014 23:54
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#87
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:56
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Coming up on polling to come out of the terminal count.
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#88
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:56
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#89
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:57
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L-6 mins.
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#90
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:58
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Just me covering? Could use some help here!
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#91
by
Chris Bergin
on 16 May, 2014 23:59
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T-4 mins and now counting.
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#92
by
edkyle99
on 16 May, 2014 23:59
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Just me covering? Could use some help here!
Struggling with the webcast. Bad.
- Ed Kyle
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#93
by
Mapperuo
on 17 May, 2014 00:00
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#94
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:00
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#95
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:00
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Ordnance armed.
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#96
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:01
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Script running. Tanks pressing.
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#97
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:01
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#98
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:02
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#99
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:02
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GREEN BOARD.
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#100
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:03
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#101
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:03
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#102
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:04
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#103
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:04
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Lots of sparks out of the back end.
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#104
by
Mapperuo
on 17 May, 2014 00:05
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#105
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:05
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Solids jettison.
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#106
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:05
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#107
by
Mapperuo
on 17 May, 2014 00:05
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#108
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 00:05
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#109
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:06
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#110
by
rcoppola
on 17 May, 2014 00:06
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What's the difference between "Load Relief" & "Vehicle" Guidance?
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#111
by
rayleighscatter
on 17 May, 2014 00:07
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From the Visitor Center webcam:
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#112
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:08
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Staging.
1-2 Sep.
Second stage ignition.
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#113
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:08
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#114
by
SaxtonHale
on 17 May, 2014 00:09
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benefits of a lagging stream
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#115
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:09
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#116
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:09
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#117
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 00:10
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#118
by
Antares
on 17 May, 2014 00:10
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What's the difference between "Load Relief" & "Vehicle" Guidance?
Load relief flies an open loop steering profile according to prelaunch balloon data to minimize vehicle loads and maximize control margins, all due to wind shear. Once the dynamic pressure is low enough, the vehicle goes back to closed loop steering to hit its navigation targets.
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#119
by
kevin-rf
on 17 May, 2014 00:12
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So, where the bright sparks during Max-Q the usual RS-68 ablative coating sparks or did the solids toss them out?
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#120
by
LouScheffer
on 17 May, 2014 00:13
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What's the difference between "Load Relief" & "Vehicle" Guidance?
"Load relief" steers the engine to minimize stress on the vehicle, while pointing in the right general direction. It's used in the lower atmosphere where you would rather minimize stress from winds.
"Vehicle Guidance" steers it to where it should go.
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#121
by
PahTo
on 17 May, 2014 00:14
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What's the difference between "Load Relief" & "Vehicle" Guidance?
I believe that has to do with the SRMs. Once gone, the RS-68 has full control authority (GEM-60 has TVC per comment about blow-down).
Thanks for the snaps, Mapperuo--that is a great look in the flame trench/launch platform (as Ed sees too!).
Don't think I've ever seen the PLF, core stage and RL-10 so good!
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#122
by
rcoppola
on 17 May, 2014 00:18
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What's the difference between "Load Relief" & "Vehicle" Guidance?
Load relief flies an open loop steering profile according to prelaunch balloon data to minimize vehicle loads and maximize control margins, all due to wind shear. Once the dynamic pressure is low enough, the vehicle goes back to closed loop steering to hit its navigation targets.
Thanks Antares. Do the AtlasV and Falcon9 vehicles do this as well?
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#123
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:19
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#124
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:20
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Three hour, eight minute coast phase.
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#125
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 00:22
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#126
by
Antares
on 17 May, 2014 00:22
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What's the difference between "Load Relief" & "Vehicle" Guidance?
Load relief flies an open loop steering profile according to prelaunch balloon data to minimize vehicle loads and maximize control margins, all due to wind shear. Once the dynamic pressure is low enough, the vehicle goes back to closed loop steering to hit its navigation targets.
Thanks Antares. Do the AtlasV and Falcon9 vehicles do this as well?
Delta, Atlas, Falcon, Shuttle, Antares all do/did. Not sure about others.
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#127
by
rayleighscatter
on 17 May, 2014 00:23
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and one more from the replay.
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#128
by
Lee Jay
on 17 May, 2014 00:24
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Was this an RS-68 or the A model?
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#129
by
rcoppola
on 17 May, 2014 00:24
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Well, while waiting for 2nd stage re-iginition...congratulations to the AF and ULA teams on another successful launch! Sure is nice to put aside everything else and just see the sky painted with fire!
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#130
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 00:25
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So, where the bright sparks during Max-Q the usual RS-68 ablative coating sparks or did the solids toss them out?
Most of the sparks were after the solids were jettisoned.
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#131
by
Ronpur50
on 17 May, 2014 00:28
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That was a beautiful sight from Orlando! I didn't expect to be able to see the main engine for so long, almost 5 minutes! It was quite a thrill for my friends 12 year old! He says it was awesome!
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#132
by
Mapperuo
on 17 May, 2014 00:32
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#133
by
PahTo
on 17 May, 2014 00:42
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Was this an RS-68 or the A model?
I infer from William Graham's article that it was an RS-68. I remember years ago on this forum mention that all D-IVM missions would fly out the remaining inventory of the older version, while most D-IVH would fly RS-68A (EFT-1 notwithstanding). That is unconfirmed though!
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#134
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 02:19
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That orange background pre-launch telephoto shot was something. A close look shows, I think, all of the active Florida space launch pads, or at least parts of them, along with a bit of abandoned LC 34 which saw the first Saturn launch in 1961, the Apollo fire six years later, and the first crewed Apollo launch in 1968. All three of the visible active pads are supposed to host launches within the next two weeks, so three rockets are in that shot (though two are hidden in buildings). The totality of that image probably represents a billion or two dollars.
- Ed Kyle
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#135
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 03:21
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I'm told that the parking orbit was right on target. And the Third burn complete. Everything looks good.
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#136
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 03:23
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S/C! Congrats to all concerned!
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#137
by
PahTo
on 17 May, 2014 03:24
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Congrats and well done, ULA!
Gotta' love the ol' RL-10.
How much boil off-occurs during the 30+ min coast?
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#138
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 03:28
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#139
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 03:53
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United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force in Less Than Three Months
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., (May 16, 2014) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-6 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:03 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA’s fifth launch in 2014, and the 82nd successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.
“ULA is honored to work with this world-class U.S. government and contractor mission team, and we are proud to contribute to the GPS capabilities that were delivered to orbit today,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. “Congratulations to the entire team on tonight’s successful launch of the GPS IIF-6 satellite and the continued one-launch-at-a-time focus.”
This mission was launched aboard a Delta IV Medium-plus configuration Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) using a single ULA common booster core powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine, along with two ATK GEM-60 solid rocket motors. The upper stage was powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 engine with the satellite encapsulated in a four-meter-diameter composite payload fairing.
ULA's next launch is the Atlas V NROL-33 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office scheduled for May 22 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
GPS IIF-6 is the sixth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.
The EELV program was established by the United States Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems.
With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 80 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system. Reliable launch, real-world benefits.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at
www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at
www.facebook.com/ulalaunch and twitter.com/ulalaunch
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#140
by
Chris Bergin
on 17 May, 2014 03:54
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 16, 2014) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-6 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:03 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA’s fifth launch in 2014, and the 82nd successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006. GPS IIF-6 is the sixth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.
Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance <---doesn't say who.
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#141
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 04:19
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Delta 4 Medium is now 19 for 19 in its 12 years of service, with only the 2012 close call due to the RL-10 leak/low-thrust nearly marring its record.
- Ed kyle
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#142
by
siweifdu
on 17 May, 2014 04:43
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Excuse me. I am puzzled by the slot that the GPS satellites are launched into. For example, for the IIF-5 satellite, people said it is going to replace the satellite in slot A3. However, it is launched into slot A6 according to the list on wikipedia. Is the new satellite going to finish test in slot A6 and then move to slot A3 after the retirement of the old one, or it is going to remain in A6, or A6 is going to be renamed A3?
The same situation seems to be here for IIF-6 satellite, it is said to replace the satellite in D4 slot while no notice is given in the GPS status notice. The only vacant slot in plane D is D6. Will the satellite enter D6 after launch just like IIF-5 entered A6 in Feb?
Thanks for the help~
Edit to redo my confusing explanation... I hope this will make sense.
The constellation performance standards require just 27 healthy satellites in 27 individual orbits.
But the GPS constellation has managed to keep 30 or 31 healthy satellites at pretty much all times for the last decade or so. Until OCX is operational, there is a 31 satellite limit on the GPS almanac (and a 32 PRN code limit as well).
This enabled the GPS operators to use a pair of IIAs or a IIA+IIR in lieu of a newer satellite for some of the orbital spots.
Right now there is one spot with a three GPS birds (PRN3+PRN19+PRN27) doing the job of two birds, and a spot with 4 GPS birds (PRN7+PRN8+PRN9-about to be shutdown+PRN30-in testing) doing the job of two birds
When a new satellite is launched, it undergoes a testing period, for which it's not operational, but requires a spot in the almanac, so instead of shutting down the older satellite that will be replaced, they keep the old running and the new in testing, then keep both running when testing is complete and only shutdown the old one when they need to free up PRNs for another launch.
I invite you to take a look at a visualization of the GPS constellation status from the WAAS status site:
http://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/incoming/waas_sats.png - updates every 2 minutes or so
Or the last full 24 hour animation (I think 6AM to 6AM EST):
http://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/incoming/SV_WaasStatus.avi
The scarce resource when managing the current GPS constellation is almanac can only broadcast 31 satellites. Right now there are 30 healthy sats on the almanac + PRN30 (IIF-5) unhealthy, with PRN9 about to be shutdown to allow PRN6 to take its place in the GPS almanac.
So by the time the next GPS satellite launches, I expect SVN33/PRN3 to be shutdown to free up almanac space, and PRN9 to be assigned for IIF-7.
Fantanstic! Thanks a lot!
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#143
by
jacqmans
on 17 May, 2014 04:51
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Here one photo of the launch I took tonight. Much more to come in L2 later
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#144
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 17 May, 2014 05:51
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#145
by
hpras
on 17 May, 2014 06:04
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What are all the pieces that come flying off at about 4:10 in this clip?
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#146
by
input~2
on 17 May, 2014 06:28
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First object catalogued by USSTRATCOM
2014-026A/39741 in 20,444 x 20,474 km x 55.0° (epoch: May 17, 0503UTC)
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#147
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 17 May, 2014 08:04
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#148
by
Antares
on 17 May, 2014 14:48
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I didn't expect to be able to see the main engine for so long, almost 5 minutes!
That would've been all the way to MECO.
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#149
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 15:38
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What are all the pieces that come flying off at about 4:10 in this clip?
My guess would be RS-68 ablative, but insulation or ice are other possibilities.
- Ed Kyle
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#150
by
Rocket Science
on 17 May, 2014 15:44
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Congrats ULA, well done!
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#151
by
beidou
on 17 May, 2014 16:04
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6th Boeing GPS IIF Spacecraft Reaches Orbit, Sends 1st Signals
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 16, 2014 – The latest Boeing [NYSE: BA] Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite sent initial signals from space shortly after launch May 16, marking the second GPS IIF launch this year and the halfway point of the 12 launches ordered by the U.S. Air Force to sustain and modernize the GPS constellation.
"Boeing has continued to maintain a robust tempo of deliveries to meet U.S. Air Force requirements, with the next GPS IIF already on deck in Florida for a third-quarter liftoff," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Space and Intelligence Systems. "As a prime contractor on the GPS program since the first launch in 1978, our experience with these complex and critically important spacecraft spans nearly 40 years and now covers 44 satellites delivered into orbit with continuing mission support."
The latest GPS IIF was launched at 8:03 p.m. Eastern Time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket. A bit more than three hours later, Boeing controllers in El Segundo confirmed the spacecraft was sending nominal signals from its orbit approximately 11,000 nautical miles above Earth.
The satellite will undergo activation and systems checkout before handover to the Air Force as part of the GPS constellation.
The Boeing GPS IIF satellite, the fourth generation of Boeing GPS space vehicles, is providing the most precise navigation clocks to date, along with improved accuracy, greater security and anti-jam capabilities.
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/6th-Boeing-GPS-IIF-Spacecraft-Reaches-Orbit-Sends-1st-Signals
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#152
by
Prober
on 17 May, 2014 18:39
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What are all the pieces that come flying off at about 4:10 in this clip?
My guess would be RS-68 ablative, but insulation or ice are other possibilities.
- Ed Kyle
Ed is that the same 2nd stage on the Delta IV as the Delta III design?
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#153
by
edkyle99
on 17 May, 2014 18:44
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Ed is that the same 2nd stage on the Delta IV as the Delta III design?
Same diameter, same engine, same avionics I think, but slightly longer tanks that hold about 3.6 tonnes more propellant than the original Delta 3 stage.
The stage owes its diameter in part to Japan's H-2, since Mitsubishi builds the LH2 tank for both rockets.
- Ed Kyle
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#154
by
catdlr
on 17 May, 2014 21:24
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Other people's stuff:
A GoPro Hero 2 Up Close Launch Pad Video Of Delta IV / GPS IIF-6
Published on May 17, 2014
Matthew Travis
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-6 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:03 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA's fifth launch in 2014, and the 82nd successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006. GPS IIF-6 is the sixth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.
This video clip was captured by my GoPro Hero 2 camera placed at the Delta IV rocket's launch pad. It was set up a few hundred feet from the rocket and a timer started recording a couple minutes before launch.
Notice the fires in the grass created by the rocket's flame. After launch, the exhaust trail from the rocket drifts into view high in the sky above Cape Canaveral.
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#155
by
catdlr
on 18 May, 2014 05:11
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ULA Delta IV Rocket Blasts Off With GPS IIF6 Satellite
Published on May 17, 2014
Matthew Travis
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-6 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:03 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA's fifth launch in 2014, and the 82nd successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006. GPS IIF-6 is the sixth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.
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#156
by
Star One
on 19 May, 2014 11:58
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Signaling a new chapter in the long-sought modernization of the U.S. Air Force's launch ranges, Friday night's flight of a Delta 4 rocket was tracked via satellite instead of by radar in a move officials say is a money-saving upgrade to the military's aging range infrastructure.
The next improvement under study by the Air Force is the introduction of autonomous on-board flight safety systems, which would replace today's man-in-the-loop range safety paradigm. Instead of requiring an engineer to send a manual destruct command to an errant rocket from the ground, a computer on-board the launcher would do the job by itself.
An autonomous flight termination system flew on an Air Force Minotaur rocket launch from Virginia in November in the first of what officials then said would be several test flights needed to certify the technology.
Ultimately, simplified space-based ranges could eliminate the need for ground infrastructure, allowing launch ranges to exist virtually anywhere in the world, officials said.
"The idea behind space-based range is you literally take all that range infrastructure, which is time-consuming and costly, try to streamline it and put it on the rocket," a former Air Force space official said.
http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d366/140518tracking/#.U3nxcom9LCQ
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#157
by
jacqmans
on 19 May, 2014 14:45
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May 19, 2014 (9:15am EDT)
ATK Technologies Bring Improved Capabilities to GPS Users
ULA Delta IV Rocket Successfully Launches GPS Satellite for U.S. Air Force
ARLINGTON, Va., May 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiple ATK (NYSE: ATK) technologies played an integral role in Friday's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the on-orbit operation of a new Boeing GPS IIF satellite. The satellite will provide improved accuracy, signal strength and quality to America's warfighters, allies and civil users worldwide.
ATK's contributions to the Delta IV and GPS IIF include cutting-edge technologies from across the company. In addition to the state-of-the art solar arrays and other critical components on the GPS IIF satellite, contributions include the two Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-60), large composite structures and the main engine nozzle.
"The Delta IV and GPS programs highlight the breadth of ATK's innovative technologies," said Blake Larson, president of ATK's Aerospace Group. "Our team's dedication and execution excellence help deliver increased capability to GPS users around the world."
ULA's Delta family of launch vehicles has been lifting high-priority government and commercial payloads to orbit for more than 50 years.
The Delta IV medium-plus rocket flew in configuration featuring two ATK commercial GEM-60 solid rocket motors produced in Magna, Utah. These motors boast a flawless record and are the 39th and 40th GEM-60s to fly. Their 90 seconds of flight time and 560,000 pounds of thrust provided boosted the 366th Delta vehicle into the sky.
The nozzle for the launch vehicle's RS-68 engine was designed and manufactured at ATK's facility in Promontory, Utah. The nozzle design includes an ATK-developed thermal protection material that is capable of shielding the nozzle from the extreme heat of launch when external temperatures can exceed 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Delta IV composite structures manufactured by ATK provide higher performance with lower weight and include the GEM cases, nose cones and aeroskirts, and the launch vehicle fairing, payload attach fitting and diaphragm, interstage, centerbody, and thermal shield—a total of 12 key composite structures. These structures measure up to five meters in diameter and up to 12 meters in length. The structures are all produced using advanced wet winding, hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at the ATK Clearfield, Utah, and Iuka, Mississippi, facilities.
For the GPS IIF-6 satellite, ATK provided a host of products and services:
•ATK's Goleta, Calif., facility designed and manufactured the satellite solar arrays and a deployment boom. ATK has achieved 100 percent on-orbit success on all solar arrays and deployable systems delivered and launched to date.
•ATK's San Diego, Calif., facility manufactured the composite solar array substrates.
•ATK's Commerce, Calif., facility had responsibility for the ullage tank assembly, including the blankets, heaters, thermistors and pressurant lines. This tank is a spherical vessel constructed of titanium.
•ATK's Beltsville, Md., facility provided heat pipes for the GPS IIF equipment and radiator panels.
•ATK's Rancho Bernardo, Calif. facility performed final assembly and RF (Radio Frequency) testing of the antenna suite for GPS IIF between 2003 and 2010.
The Block IIF series will replace the GPS Block IIA satellites that were launched between 1990 and 1997. The IIF space vehicles provide improved accuracy, enhanced internal atomic clocks, better anti-jam resistance, a civil signal for commercial aviation and a longer design life.
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#158
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 20 May, 2014 14:28
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The satellite in A3 is going to outage in the next few days and hope we can see the change on the official GPS website
I think that SVN38 outage relates to maintenance and does not relate to slot's name changes.
Yes. However, SVN 39 in A5 has a Forecast Unusable UFN. I suspect you'll get a DECOM NANU shortly after SVN 67 launches.
Same thing happened with SVN 36 when 64 launched.
SVN 39 (GPS IIA-12) has been decommissioned late yesterday:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2014046
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#159
by
input~2
on 20 May, 2014 20:21
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For the record, Delta IV 2nd stage has been catalogued as
2014-026B/39742 in 20,505 x 20,767 km x 54.91°
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#160
by
Colodie
on 31 May, 2014 23:54
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Yep. But GPS IIF-6 is SVN-67
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#161
by
macpacheco
on 03 Jun, 2014 17:47
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Yep. But GPS IIF-6 is SVN-67
Wrong thread.... IIF-5 got USABINIT. Sorry.
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#162
by
grythumn
on 10 Jun, 2014 18:42
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Yep. But GPS IIF-6 is SVN-67
Wrong thread.... IIF-5 got USABINIT. Sorry.
Here ya go:
NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2014049
SUBJ: SVN67 (PRN06) USABLE JDAY 161/1710
1. NANU TYPE: USABINIT
NANU NUMBER: 2014049
NANU DTG: 101713Z JUN 2014
REFERENCE NANU: N/A
REF NANU DTG: N/A
SVN: 67
PRN: 06
START JDAY: 161
START TIME ZULU: 1710
START CALENDAR DATE: 10 JUN 2014
STOP JDAY: N/A
STOP TIME ZULU: N/A
STOP CALENDAR DATE: N/A
2. CONDITION: GPS SATELLITE SVN67 (PRN06) WAS USABLE AS OF JDAY 161
(10 JUN 2014) BEGINNING 1710 ZULU.
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#163
by
jacqmans
on 26 Jun, 2014 12:16
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6th Boeing GPS IIF Completes On-Orbit Checkout
Milestone marks delivery of first half of GPS IIF fleet
GPS IIF satellites improving system accuracy, performance
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 25, 2014 – With on-orbit checkout and validation of the sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite, Boeing [NYSE: BA] has reached the halfway mark in delivering the current series of satellites to the U.S. Air Force, which operates the GPS constellation.
These satellites, the fourth generation of Boeing-built GPS space vehicles, are improving system accuracy, signal capability and performance for users worldwide.
”We have built all twelve GPS IIF satellites using our advanced production processes, with the spacecraft ready to launch on request by the Air Force,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. “We’re also continuing to work with the Air Force to improve the efficiency of our final checkouts before launch and on-orbit, ensuring each GPS IIF enters operation smoothly and quickly. This approach supports the Air Force in maintaining an aggressive launch schedule.”
The sixth GPS IIF was launched May 16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and was the second in just three months. The next GPS IIF is being readied for launch during the third quarter of this year.
Included is the ULA mission booklet (new design!).
