
The Air Force’s fourth and newest Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite entered into service June 21, according to satellite contractor Boeing [BA]. Launched May 15, GPS IIF-4 was handed over to the Air Force after 19 days of post-launch validation to stabilize the space vehicle and activate the navigation payload. SVN-66, the official name of the new satellite, is now part of the active 31-satellite network. The satellite replaces an earlier Boeing-built model launched in 1996. GPS IIF. Photo: Boeing. The…