An Atlas 5 rocket will launch the U.S. Air ForceÛªs 10th Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System.
I am currently seeking info on exactly where they plan to spot it. My intuition says the "E" Plane which has 2 of the last 3 useable IIA satellites. The other IIA is in Plane "D"which already has 2 2F satellites.
Paul in PA
I missread the calendar, launch is Wednesday July 15.
Paul in PA
So does this mean that the GPS satellites will live through the 10 year (?) deadline that I read sometime back?
Several of them have outlived their expectancy. I don't know if it's still around now, but in 2012 the old original "SV23" was still around. It was part of the original IIA constellation launched in 1990. I think they turned it off and reactivated it in 2008 as SV32...or something like that.
I remember processing (with a 386 processor) five and six hour occupations in the early nineties with good old SV23 as one of only 5 or 6 suitable SVs. Whoever built that puppy needs more contracts.
NASA launched something yesterday evening around 6:30. Don't know if it was SpaceX or something else. Saw the con trail and a little of the flame.
SVN 23/PRN 32 was launched November of 1990. I would say 25 years is more than 10.
It is the one most likely to be replaced.
Paul in PA
