The Air Force on Wednesday launched its 10th satellite in the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF series.
Launch took place at 11:36 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on an Atlas V developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA).according to a service statement. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
GPS IIF-10 is a next-generation position, navigation and timing (PNT) satellite, incorporating various improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased signals and enhanced performance for users. GPS IIF-11 is scheduled to launch Oct. 30.
GPS IIF-10 has reached orbit and sent its first signals, prime contractor Boeing [BA] said in a statement. About three hours and 23 minutes after launch, the spacecraft was released into its medium earth orbit (MEO) of about 12,000 miles.
Boeing will support the Air Force in performing on-orbit checkout of GPS IIF-10 before it is formally declared operational in about one month. The next GPS satellite, GPS IIF-11, was shipped to Cape Canaveral on June 8 in preparation for the third and final IIF launch of 2015 on October 30.
ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin [LMT].