Delta II with GPS payload successfully launches

A Delta II rocket carrying a Global Positioning System satellite successfully launches Dec. 21 from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The satellite will join the constellation of on-orbit satellites providing global coverage and increased performance of the GPS services to users worldwide. (Courtesy photo/Carleton Bailie)

Blog Note:
Satellite/Payload Name: NAVSTAR 61 (USA 199)
Launch Date/Time: 12-20-2007 2004 UTC
Launch Site/Pad: Air Force Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral AFS, FL, LC17A
Launcher: Delta II:
International Designator: 2007-062A
NORAD SSC #: 32384

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFPN) -- Air Force space technicians successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster Dec. 21 carrying the fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space. The NAVSTAR GPS was launched at 3:04 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17A here.

The satellite will join the constellation of on-orbit satellites providing global coverage and increased performance of the GPS services to users worldwide. The modernized series delivers increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal to provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency.

"Today's launch moves us another step closer to modernizing the vital GPS constellation, which provides combat effects our warfighters depend on," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander.

GPS is the world's foremost space-based positioning and navigation system. Endeavors such as mapping, aerial refueling, rendezvous operations, geodetic surveying and search and rescue operations all have benefited from GPS's accuracy.

The GPS constellation provides critical situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military and supports a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions -- from air traffic control to the Internet -- with precision location and timing information. Every satellite in the constellation was launched from here.

"The Global Positioning System has become an integral part of all of our lives -- for the members supporting the Global War on Terror and their families who support them," said Tech. Sgt. Will McCormick, a Delta II electrical engineering assistant with the 1st Space Launch Squadron. "It is truly an honor to play even a small part in providing this capability."

And from AGI Launch Notification service amd Spaceflight Now, "Final Delta launch of 2007 lofts new GPS satellite"

"A productive year for the Delta rocket program that launched spacecraft to observe Earth, dig up frozen water on Mars and explore uncharted worlds in the asteroid belt was capped with a successful ascent of a modernized GPS navigation satellite on Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral.

The year's finale began at 3:04 p.m. EST as the Delta 2 booster darted away from pad 17A carrying the newest craft for the Global Positioning System.

The three-stage launcher propelled the 4,500-pound satellite into a highly elliptical orbit reaching about 11,000 miles at the high point, 100 miles at the lowest and inclined 40 degrees to the equator. The Lockheed Martin-made satellite was released from the spent rocket 68 minutes after liftoff."

"A solid-propellant kick motor on the satellite itself will fire in a few days to circularize its orbit at 11,000 miles and increase the inclination to 55 degrees where the GPS constellation flies. The craft should be ready to enter service within a couple of weeks."

"Controllers will maneuver the $75 million craft into the Plane C, Slot 1 position of the constellation to take the place of GPS 2A-24. That satellite then moves into another role replacing the ailing GPS 2A-20 satellite, which was launched in May 1993 and has long outlived its seven-year design life."

"The GPS 2R-18 spacecraft is the fifth in a series of eight with enhanced features designed to rejuvenate the GPS constellation."

Work completed on modernized GPS satellites

Lockheed Martin has delivered the eighth and final satellite in the modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) production to the U.S. Air Force. The GPS constellation provides situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military. The worldwide system also supports a range of civil, scientific and commercial functions – from air traffic control to the Internet — with precision location and timing information.

Currently, three IIR-M spacecraft are in orbit, along with 12 original Block IIR satellites within the overall 30-spacecraft GPS constellation. Each satellite in the Block IIR-M series includes a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground — two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military — and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency.

Based on the navigation user range error, which measures GPS accuracy, the Block IIR satellites enable suitably equipped users to determine precise time and velocity as well as worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within one meter.

The final eight spacecraft, designated Block IIR-M, were modernized to enhance operations and navigation signal performance for military and civilian GPS users around the globe. The company is also responsible for launch and flight operations support of the GPS IIR and IIR-M satellites.

The third GPS IIR-M spacecraft was launched successfully on Nov. 17, 2006 by Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., which manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users. Whereas the fourth GPS Block IIR-M satellite was delivered to Cape Canaveral to support a late 2007 launch.

Oldest GPS satellite being prepared for disposal

by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The oldest operational satellite in the GPS constellation has broadcast its signal for more than 16 years, during which time that signal's mission applications -- and the people who make sure the signal is available -- have changed dramatically.

When Satellite Vehicle Number 15 launched Oct. 1, 1990, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., the 2nd Space Operations Squadron's mission was markedly different from what it is today, the 2nd SOPS commander noted.

"We did a great job of telemetry, tracking and control for satellites (when SVN-15 was launched)," Lt. Col. Kurt Kuntzelman said. "The mission today has expanded focus from pure satellite command and control to include effects-based operations."

Today, 2nd SOPS provides precision navigation and timing combat effects for war fighters around the world.

"We used to work our shifts, and as long as the satellites were broadcasting their signal and everything looked good on telemetry, we'd pat ourselves on the back," Colonel Kuntzelmen said. "But we didn't really have an appreciation for how people were using that signal. Now we're growing our user operations focus."

Colonel Kuntzelman was a second lieutenant at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., when SVN-15 became operational. At the time, the logistics plans and programs officer was helping to convert B-1B Lancers from a strategic to a conventional role in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The Air Force used unguided and laser-guided munitions against Iraqi ground forces during Desert Storm. When the United States entered Iraq again in March 2003, the majority of air-to-ground munitions were GPS-aided.

"In a way, it's come around full circle for me," Colonel Kuntzelman said.

The colonel first became interested in space while working at U.S. Space Command and North American Aerospace Defense in future logistics and sustainment of space systems.

"My colonel was an aircraft maintenance officer who had transitioned into space," Colonel Kuntzelman said. "He took me under his arm and said, 'Logistics is privatizing and outsourcing, and you're going to need to get some operational experience.' I had a conference with my wife ... and we decided to give space operations a shot."

Colonel Kuntzelman went to Vandenberg AFB, Calif., in 1998 for space undergraduate training. When he graduated, he came to his first assignment choice: the GPS mission at Schriever.

"Space operations was a growing career field, and GPS is the flagship (satellite) of (Air Force) Space Command," he said. "So if you're going to do something, you might as well be part of the best."

Meanwhile, SVN-15 reached the end of its design life ... and kept ticking.

The change in focus from flying satellites to delivering combat effects has contributed to other GPS-based programs such as the small-diameter bomb and the Joint Precision Airdrop System, he said. Reservists with 19th SOPS are also playing an increasingly critical role in GPS operations.

In addition, civil applications have grown exponentially. GPS' use in a wide variety of navigational and financial applications, which has resulted in calls from Australian farmers, people navigating city streets and even a golfer.

"My father's an avid golfer," Colonel Kuntzelman said, smiling. "He gave me a call and told me he came up short with his 9-iron, and he tried to blame it on me for giving him the wrong GPS signal. He said it gave him the wrong yardage. Apparently it cost him a couple of bucks with his buddies."

In October 2005, SVN-15 (nicknamed "Firebird" by Boeing) turned 15. It had lived twice as long as its original design life and kept going. Recently, however, the aging satellite developed heart trouble.

"The operational clocks eventually couldn't maintain their signal within specs," Colonel Kuntzelman said.

Something didn't necessarily go wrong -- rather, everything went right for nearly nine years longer than engineers and satellite operators could have expected, the colonel added.

Satellite control authority for SVN-15 transitioned to 1st SOPS March 14. After end-of-life testing that will take about a month, they will boost the satellite into a disposal orbit.