ULA Launches GPS IIF-5 Satellite Marking 25th Delta IV Mission
At 8:59 p.m. EST Thursday evening from Space Launch Complex-37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force marking the 25th Delta IV Mission.
“This launch marks the 25th successful launch of our Delta IV product line,” said Sponnick. “Delta IV has successfully delivered numerous satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), as well as GPS satellites for the Air Force and weather satellites for NASA.
The Delta IV used was the medium-plus configuration Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) using a single ULA common booster core powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine along with two ATK GEM-60 solid rocket motors. The upper stage was powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 engine. The satellite was encapsulated in a four-meter diameter composite payload fairing.
GPS IIF-5 is the fifth in a series of next-generation GPS satellites and joins a global navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes. The system uses a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface.
“Congratulations to the entire mission team on tonight’s successful launch of the GPS IIF-5 satellite,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. “GPS provides vital capabilities for the men and women protecting our freedoms around the world and also provides ever-expanding benefits in our daily lives. We are privileged to collaborate with our dedicated government and industry partners seamlessly working together to deliver these capabilities safely to orbit with a focus on mission success, one launch at a time.”
This was the companies 79th launch since the company was formed in 2006. ULA’s next scheduled launch is the Atlas V NROL-67 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office and is currently scheduled for March 25 from Space Launch Complex-41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Related:
– ATK Technologies Support Launch of ULA’s Delta IV Rocket Carrying GPS IIF-5
– 5th Boeing GPS IIF Spacecraft Sends Initial Signals from Space
– GPS IIF-5 Successfully Launched from Cape Canaveral AFS
– United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 25th Delta IV Mission Carrying Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force
