Home PageFacebookRSS News Feed
PocketGPS
Web
SatNav,GPS,Navigation
SurfShark VPN for Streaming TV
Pocket GPS World - SatNavs | GPS | Speed Cameras: Forums

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - GPS IIF-7 to launch on Friday 1st August
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

GPS IIF-7 to launch on Friday 1st August

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> News And Latest Information
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
MikeB
Frequent Visitor


Joined: 20/08/2002 11:51:57
Posts: 3859
Location: Essex, UK

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:49 pm    Post subject: GPS IIF-7 to launch on Friday 1st August Reply with quote

pocketgpsworld.com
Early morning Friday sees the launch of the seventh GPS IIF satellite fro the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This will be lofted into orbit on top of an Atlas V rocket. The GPS IIF-7 satellite is part of the upgraded and modernised fleet of Block IIF navigation spacecraft designed to replace one of the ageing Block IIA satellites originally launched in the early 1990s.

The launch is scheduled for 3:27am GMT (4:27 BST) which is late evening on the 31st July in Florida. Launch complex 41 will be used for this launch, the most northerly active launch pad at Cape Canaveral. If you want to follow the launch the AmericaSpace Live Launch Tracker will have live commentary and video feed.

There are currently 4 types of Block II GPS satellites: Block IIA, Block IIR, Block IIR(M) and Block IIF. These different blocks represent:

IIA - Advanced, launched between 1990 and 1997 currently 6 are operational
IIR - Replacement, launched between 1997 and 2004 currently 12 are operational
IIR(M) - Modernised, launched between 2005 and 2009 7 are operational
IIF - Follow-on, launched since 2010 6 operational and a further 6 scheduled (including Friday’s satellite)

The GPS constellation requires 24 operational satellites to provide service so currently with 31 there is some spare capacity. The Block IIA satellites were designed with an expected lifespan of seven and a half years so are well past their operational lifetime. With one satellite to be launched on Friday and another in October the remaining 4 Block IIF satellites are manufactured and are expected to be launched in the next two years or so.

After the deployment of the final Block IIF GPS satellite the next development will be the GPS III satellites. Currently the GPS III is in production with two satellites on order and options to fill out the GPS III to a full compliment of 12 spacecraft. The GPS III will not only provide additional features to the ageing fleet, but will also include improved accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities.

Friday’s launch will see second recent use of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket booster to place a GPS into orbit. The vast majority of the constellation was launched on the Delta II and Delta IV rockets. The Atlas V is a workhorse of the USA space rockets with 46 previous launches, 34 of them for the USAF who manage the GPS Fleet. Including the Delta rockets ULA have launched 54 of the 66 GPS satellites.

The GPS IIF satellites are build by Boeing in El Segundo California. The Block IIF improvements offer: Better atomic clocks; Greater accuracy; New L5 signal for civilian use; enhanced military signal with variable power to assist against jamming; reprogrammable in orbit for system upgrades. The design life of the GPS IIF is 12 years.
email icon

_________________
Mike Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
MikeB
Frequent Visitor


Joined: 20/08/2002 11:51:57
Posts: 3859
Location: Essex, UK

PostPosted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

UPDATE

The launch date has been changed to 2nd August at 3:23am GMT (4:23 BST).
_________________
Mike Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
MikeB
Frequent Visitor


Joined: 20/08/2002 11:51:57
Posts: 3859
Location: Essex, UK

PostPosted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


The Atlas V with GPS IIF-7 is on the launch pad.
_________________
Mike Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website







Posted: Today    Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising

Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> News And Latest Information All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Make a Donation



CamerAlert Database

Click here for the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database

Download Speed Camera Database
22.034 (27 Mar 24)



WORLDWIDE SPEED CAMERA SPOTTERS WANTED!

Click here to submit camera positions to the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database


12mth Subscriber memberships awarded every week for verified new camera reports!

Submit Speed Camera Locations Now


CamerAlert Apps



iOS QR Code






Android QR Code







© Terms & Privacy


GPS Shopping