GPS IIF-9 heads into orbit on a Delta IV rocket
Date: Thursday, March 26 @ 07:18:05 UTC
Topic:
Yesterday the ninth block IIF GPS satellite was successfully launched into orbit by United Launch Alliance for the US Air Force. The navigation satellite was enshrouded in a 4 metre payload fairing as it stood on the launch pad on top of a Delta IV rocket.
The countdown to the launch started eight hours prior to ignition with the removal of the service tower. Four hours before launch the two stages of the rocket were filled with cryogenic fuel. After numerous safety checks were made the terminal countdown started four minutes before launch.
Just before launch the rocket was engulfed in a ball of flame as the surplus hydrogen was ignited. The two solid rocket boosters were lit and the rocket and GPS satellite thundered into the misty skies.
Continue to read an extract of the launch report from AmericaSpace.Com...
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