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GPS Block IIF

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GPS Block IIF
Artist's impression of a Block IIF GPS satellite in orbit
ManufacturerBoeing
Country of origin United States
OperatorUS Air Force
ApplicationsNavigation satellite
Specifications
BusAS-4000
Launch mass1630
RegimeSemi-synchronous MEO
Design life12 years
Production
StatusIn Production
On order7
Built5
Launched3
Operational2
Maiden launchGPS IIF SV-1
28 May 2010, 03:00 UTC
GPS Block IIIA →

GPS Block IIF, or GPS IIF is an interim class of GPS satellite, which will be used to keep the Navstar Global Positioning System operational until the GPS Block IIIA satellites become operational. They are being built by Boeing, and will be operated by the United States Air Force following their launch by United Launch Alliance, using Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles.[1] They will be the final component of the Block II GPS constellation to be launched. The spacecraft have a mass of 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb) and a design life of 12 years. Like earlier GPS satellites, Block IIF spacecraft operate in semi-synchronous medium Earth orbits, with an altitude of approximately 20,460 kilometres (12,710 mi), and an orbital period of twelve hours.

The satellites will replace the GPS Block IIA satellites which were launched between 1990 and 1997 and were designed to last 7.5 years. Eleven of those satellites are still in use, including four that were launched in 1992.[2]

Because the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles are more powerful than the Delta II, which was used to orbit earlier Block II GPS satellites, they can place the satellites directly into their operational orbits. As a result, Block IIF satellites do not carry apogee motors. The original contract for Block IIF, signed in 1996, called for 33 spacecraft. This was later reduced to 12, and programme delays and technical problems pushed the first launch from 2006 to 2010.[3]

New characteristics

Launches

The first GPS IIF satellite, Space Vehicle 1, was launched by a Delta IV-M+(4,2) rocket at 03:00 UTC on 28 May 2010.[5][6] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[4] It was the 61st GPS satellite to launch and the 50th GPS launched on a Delta.[2]

The second GPS IIF satellite, GPS IIF SV-2 was launched on July 16, 2011 at 06:41 UTC from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[7]

A third GPS IIF satellite, GPS IIF SV-3, was launched on a Delta IV-M+(4,2) rocket at 12:10 UTC on 4 October 2012.[8] This launch came shortly before the 10th anniversary of the inaugural Delta IV launch.

Three additional GPS IIF satellites have been completed by Boeing, and are currently in storage on standby for launch by the Air Force.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF". Boeing. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "First Block 2F GPS Satellite Launched, Needed to Prevent System Failure". DailyTech. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  3. ^ Pike, John. "GPS Block II F". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Mission Overview" (PDF). Delta IV Launches GPS IIF SV-1. United Launch Alliance. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  5. ^ Tariq Malik (28 May 2010). "Air Force Launches Advanced New GPS Satellite". SPACE.com.
  6. ^ "Delta IV Set to Launch GPS IIF SV-1". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  7. ^ "United Launch Alliance GPS IIF-2". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  8. ^ "United Launch Alliance GPS IIF-3". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Boeing Completes 5th GPS IIF Satellite for US Air Force". Boeing. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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