The Air Force on Oct. 31 successfully launched its 11th satellite in the Global Positioning System IIF series (GPS IIF-11).
Launch took place at 12:13 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 401 configuration launch vehicle. Launch was originally scheduled for Oct. 30, but a leak discovered in a ground support equipment valve for the launch pad water suppression system pushed it back one day.
GPS IIF-11 is the second to last in the series to be launched. GPS IIF-12 is set for launch in early 2016, according to the Air Force. The GPS constellation currently consists of two GPS IIAs, 12 GPS IIRs, seven GPS IIR-Ms and 10 GPS IIF satellites providing precise global positioning, navigation, and timing services to users around the globe.
ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Boeing [BA].