[MilCom] Fwd: [MilRadioComms] GPS IIF-4 Satellite Ready for Launch tomorrow

[AllanStern at aol.com]

The USAF Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4  satellite is ready for 
launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launch  Vehicle on May 15 from 
Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. 

The launch window opens  at 5:38 pm EDT and will remain open for 18 minutes 
to accommodate any delays for  weather or technical reasons. The satellite, 
designated as Space Vehicle Number  (SVN) 66, is the fourth in the series 
of 12 IIF space vehicles that Boeing has  on contract with the Air Force. 
SVN-66 will be joining the other operational  satellites currently on-orbit in 
the GPS constellation. 

"We are looking  forward to yet another successful launch; tremendous 
progress is being made with  the GPS IIF space vehicles. The first three 
satellites are on-orbit and meeting  all mission requirements and the atomic clocks 
on-board the payloads are  providing the best accuracy ever," said Col. 
Bernie Gruber, director of the  Space and Missile Systems Center's Global 
Positioning Systems Directorate.  

"This is just the beginning of the modernization plan to improve  
operations, sustainment and overall GPS service for military and civil users  around 
the globe. I would like to commend the 45th and the 50th Space Wings,  
United Launch Alliance, our industry partners, the Atlas V and GPS IIF launch  
teams. Thanks to the hard work and focus on mission success, we are ready  
tolaunch the fourth GPS IIF satellite," he said. "To mission  success!"

The new capabilities of the IIF satellites will provide greater  
navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology; an  increased 
design life of 12 years for long-term service; and a new third civil  signal 
(L5) to provide a more robust signal for commercial aviation and  
safety-of-life applications, while the second civil signal (L2C) is available  for 
dual-frequency equipment. 

GPS will deliver sustained, reliable and  improved military and civil 
navigation capabilities to ensure GPS remains the  "Center of Excellence 
forspaced-based navigation."

AL STERN  Satellite Beach  FL
AllanStern at aol.com
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