The Air Force Thursday successfully launched its fifth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite at 8:59 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
The launch took place on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket and GPS IIF prime contractor Boeing [BA] said the satellite sent initial signals from space after its launch. The satellite will join the GPS constellation providing space-based position, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities to support users around the globe. The GPS IIF constellation is operated by Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).
The sixth GPS IIF satellite, GPS IIF-6, is at the Florida launch site undergoing preparations for a second quarter launch. The remaining six satellites are at Boeing’s satellite development center in El Segundo, Calif., according to a company statement.
ULA’s Delta IV medium-plus rocket was supported by ATK [ATK], which provided two 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM-60), according to an ATK statement. The 53-foot long motors are mounted on opposing sides of the rocket, as the Delta IV rocket was in the 4,2 configuration, with one vectorable motor per side. The GEM-60s burn for approximately 90 seconds and provide more than 560,000 pounds of thrust to deliver the GPS IIF-5 satellite into orbit.
ATK supported a number of other components on the Delta IV rocket, including nine key composite structures that are five meters in diameter and range from one to 15 meters in length. It also manufactured the propellant tank for the upper stage roll control system and the nozzle for the launch vehicle’s RS-68 engine was designed and manufactured at the company’s Promontory, Utah, facility.
ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin [LMT].