Author Topic: LIVE Atlas V 401 - GPS IIF-12 - Canaveral SLC-41, February 5, 2016 (Read 51572 times)

beidou · « **on:** 03/26/2015 06:40 pm »

This will be launch of the last GPS IIF satellite.

William Graham's feature article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/02/atlas-v-open-2016-campaign-gps-iif-12-launch/

beidou · « **Reply #1 on:** 08/27/2015 07:10 pm »

I guess this satellite will replace SVN 48 and use PRN 7 when commissioned. SVN 48 is currently the oldest satellite in GPS constellation.

Quote

07/48 A4 Rb3 IIR-19/M6

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #2 on:** 08/27/2015 07:27 pm »

Quote from: beidou on 03/26/2015 06:40 pm

This will be launch of the last GPS IIF satellite.

Shipment is planned around the second to last week of September. The date will be posted later upon public confirmation.

Colodie · « **Reply #3 on:** 08/30/2015 03:29 am »

Quote from: beidou on 08/27/2015 07:10 pm

I guess this satellite will replace SVN 48 and use PRN 7 when commissioned. SVN 48 is currently the oldest satellite in GPS constellation.

Quote
07/48 A4 Rb3 IIR-19/M6

SVN 48 isn't the oldest satellite... SVN 48 is actually the 3rd youngest IIR-M (effectively 2nd youngest if you ignore SVN 49 which was never commissioned) and has been on orbit for a bit over 7 years. Plus it's a modernized satellite, and is currently transmitting L2C.

This should replace the last IIA (SVN 23/SVN 34), and will take the PRN of whichever satellite is decommissioned to make room for IIF-11 (i.e. it will take PRN 4 or PRN 32).

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/04/2015 11:12 pm »

Quote from: russianhalo117 on 08/27/2015 07:27 pm

Quote from: beidou on 03/26/2015 06:40 pm
This will be launch of the last GPS IIF satellite.
Shipment is planned around the second to last week of September. The date will be posted later upon public confirmation.

Bumping the thread--can any of our forum members confirm delivery from El Segundo to the Cape?

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/05/2015 12:49 am »

Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 10/04/2015 11:12 pm

Quote from: russianhalo117 on 08/27/2015 07:27 pm
Quote from: beidou on 03/26/2015 06:40 pm
This will be launch of the last GPS IIF satellite.
Shipment is planned around the second to last week of September. The date will be posted later upon public confirmation.
Bumping the thread--can any of our forum members confirm delivery from El Segundo to the Cape?

Per L2: 9/22, USAF C-17 satellite delivery to CCAFS, contingency SLF arrival support at 0600.

Targeteer · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/08/2015 10:03 pm »

http://www.patrick.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123460438

by Chrissy Cuttita
45th Space Wing Public Affairs

10/8/2015 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The last Air Force GPS IIF in a block of 12 satellites was delivered to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, from Boeing's manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California Oct. 8 via a C-17 Globemaster III.

A crowd from the government and industry partnership, who will complete the satellite's final assembly, gathered on the Cape's "Skid Strip" to watch the off-loading of the satellite they will prepare to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket in 2016.

"This GPS IIF-12 satellite represents the end of a legacy as it will be the last of the 61 GPS satellites processed here at CCAFS," said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander. "This culminates an incredible 27-year legacy at our Area 59 Satellite Processing Facility. We are the Nation's premier gateway to space and are humbled to be a part of the team that provides GPS and its capabilities to the world."

Although there have been other models of GPS launched into space, the Airmen-led processing team at Area 59 is particularly proud to begin preparations to send the last IIF block satellite into orbit. They've been behind every launch of the series since the first GPS IIF launched here in May 2010.

"Our combined team's objective is 100% mission success--each and every time." said Col. Eric Krystkowiak, 45th Launch Group commander. "My Airmen work, in partnership, with Boeing and the System Program Office at the Space and Missile Systems Center throughout the final stages of satellite processing prior to launch. From spacecraft containerization, shipment from California, the arrival at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Landing Strip, final checkouts, fueling and encapsulation, the team is laser focused on identifying and mitigating any issues that could potentially jeopardize mission success."

The Boeing-assembled GPS IIF 12 that arrived at the Cape will undergo a series of pre-launch preparations, checks and rehearsals. These included functional checkout of the spacecraft, compatibility testing, battery installation, fueling, mating to the payload adapter and obtaining a final flight weight.

Members of the quality assurance team range from young military officers to career enlisted troops to seasoned civilians.

"Mission Assurance at the launch base is executed with our 'triad' of professionals," said Krystkowiak. "Our mission assurance technicians are enlisted personnel with many years of experience in missile maintenance who are fully engaged and observe the contractor's work with the satellite. They bring their hands-on experience, strict technical compliance and discipline to the satellite processing realm. Beside them are our company grade officers and civilian engineers who bring their engineering rigor and innovative ideas into the process. Lastly are our Aerospace Corporation partners who provide invaluable experience and legacy system insight to the team with their continuity of satellite processing. Many of these members have been here at the Cape since GPS first launched in 1989 and achieved full operational capability in 1995."

A field program manager for the team interfaces with 45th SW leadership, the Air Force Space and Missile Center and the contracted partners throughout the months in between the satellite's delivery and its launch.

The Evolved Expendable Launch vehicle is used to launch GPS satellites from CCAFS into nearly 11,000-mile circular orbits. While circling the earth, GPS satellites transmit extremely accurate timing data on multiple L-band frequencies. Design life across the satellite blocks range from 7.5 to 12 years, but many are lasting more than 20 years, with the oldest vehicle turning 25 in November of 2015.

The GPS Master Control Station, operated by the 50th Space Wing's 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, is responsible for monitoring and controlling the GPS as a 24-satellite system, consisting of six orbital planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane. There are currently 39 vehicles in the GPS constellation.

GPS satellites serve and protect U.S. warfighters by providing navigational assistance and timing standards for military operations on land, at sea, and in the air. Civilian users around the world also use and depend on GPS for highly accurate time, location, and velocity information.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/09/2015 02:26 am »

Will the apparent delay in delivery (10/8 vs. 9/22) from El Segundo to the Cape delay the launch?
Or is a delivery delay of this length built into the launch processing scheduling?

WHAP · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/09/2015 03:48 am »

There's been no indication of a slip on the ULA side. That't not a guarantee.

Colodie · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/31/2015 06:49 pm »

With the launch of SVN 73 today and the planned decommissioning of SVN 34 in a few days, IIF-12 (SVN 70) should take PRN 4.

SVN 23 (first IIA launched) should be the last IIA decommissioned to make room in the constellation for SVN-70. At that time it will be a bit over 25 years old.

SVN 23's PRN (32) should be used for checkout of decommissioned vehicles until SVN-74 launches (whenever that may be)

Rifleman · « **Reply #10 on:** 11/24/2015 03:09 am »

It looks like I am going to be in the area the first week of February, and would love to see this launch in person. Does anyone know what time on the 3rd the launch window opens, and how long of a window will they have?

ZachS09 · « **Reply #11 on:** 11/25/2015 11:08 pm »

The window opens at 8:49 AM and lasts until 9:08 AM. It's a 19-minute window.

beidou · « **Reply #12 on:** 12/05/2015 04:12 pm »

Launch poster

jacqmans · « **Reply #13 on:** 12/07/2015 07:12 am »

Atlas V to Launch GPS IIF-12

Atlas V GPS IIF-12 Mission ArtworkRocket/Payload: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 will launch the GPS IIF-12 mission for the U.S. Air Force.

Date/Site/Launch Time: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Mission Description: GPS satellites serve and protect our warfighters by providing navigational assistance for U.S. military operations on land, at sea, and in the air. Civilian users around the world also use and depend on GPS for highly accurate time, location, and velocity information.

GPS IIF-12 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-12 will be ULA’s first mission of 2016 and the 60th operational GPS mission to launch on a ULA or heritage rocket.

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, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch; hashtags #GPSIIF12, #AtlasV.

Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go GPS IIF-12!

beidou · « **Reply #14 on:** 12/10/2015 08:20 pm »

Quote

SVN-34/PRN-04 has been taken out of the operational constellation and sent to Launch, Anomaly Resolution, and Disposal Operations (LADO). PRN-04 is tentatively scheduled for assignment to IIF-12, launching in February of next year.

beidou · « **Reply #15 on:** 01/13/2016 07:55 pm »

Countdown on GPS.GOV

jacqmans · « **Reply #16 on:** 01/19/2016 03:18 pm »

Upcoming Launch

Launch Viewing Tickets for ULA Atlas V GPS IIF-12
Watch the launch February 3!

Witness the compelling sights and sounds of the ULA Atlas V rocket launch on February 3, 2016, as it sends the GPS IIF-12 satellite into orbit around Earth for the United States Air Force.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the closest public viewing of rocket launches. Launch viewing areas include the Apollo/Saturn V Center located within the secured areas of Kennedy Space Center. Visitor complex parking opens at 5:30 am and bus boarding for the Apollo/Saturn V Center begins at the main visitor complex at 6 am for launch viewing ticket holders only February 3, 2016. Launch Transportation Tickets to the Apollo/Saturn V Center are available for $20 plus tax, in addition to admission. Purchase your launch viewing tickets today!

In addition to launch viewing/transportation tickets, visitors are also welcome to access a viewing area located at the main visitor complex. This viewing area with launch commentary is included with general admission. The visitor complex opens one hour early at 8 am to accommodate launch viewing.

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events/2016/february/launch-ula-atlas-v-gps-2f-12.aspx

Rifleman · « **Reply #17 on:** 01/19/2016 11:41 pm »

Just purchased my tickets to this launch! So excited, hopefully after all these years of being a space fanatic I will finally get to see a launch in person! My 3 year old daughter is even more excited than I am.

Colodie · « **Reply #18 on:** 01/21/2016 03:30 am »

There's a Forecast Unusable Until Further Notice for SVN 23, for the 25th of January at 1500Z.

That will be the first time (approximately) since 10 December 1990, 2345Z that there were no IIA's being actively used for navigation (coincidentally that was when SVN 23 was initially set healthy).

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2016006

BabaORileyUSA · « **Reply #19 on:** 01/25/2016 02:41 pm »

Betelgeuse! Here's the new ULA Mission patch: