[SatNews] The recently launched Boeing [NYSE: BA] Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite has completed on-orbit checkout and is providing greater accuracy and capability to the constellation relied upon by the U.S. military and global users.
Artistic rendition of a GPS IIF satellite.
Image is courtesy of Boeing.
Launched August 1st, GPS IIF-7 is the seventh of 12 Boeing GPS IIF satellites now in service and is meeting all of the mission requirements for the U.S. Air Force, which manages the GPS program. The government-industry team completed the initial activation and checkout of Space Vehicle Number-68 (SVN-68), the formal designation for GPS IIF-7, in a record five days. The 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, which operates and manages the constellation, took control of the satellite August 8th.
“Handover to the 50th Space Wing is a huge milestone in a GPS satellite’s journey, confirming that it’s been put through its paces and all looks good,” said Dan Hart, vice president of Government Space Systems for Boeing Network & Space Systems. “A transfer as seamless as this one is even more satisfying for our Boeing GPS IIF team.”
The satellite spacecraft was maneuvered to its final orbital location in early September and set healthy on September 1th, signifying that it the satellite providing accurate positioning, navigation and timing data.
“Boeing has delivered 45 of the 67 GPS satellites launched to date, accruing more than 525 years of on-orbit performance,” Hart said. “It’s a track record of which we’re very proud, and we’re ready to get the remaining IIFs into orbit and continue our contributions to GPS today and in the future.”
The Boeing Network & Space Systems infosite is accessible at http://www.boeing.com/bds/