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.
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| GPS IIF. Photo: Boeing. |
The next satellite, GPS IIF-5, is slated for launch in October. There are 12 satellites planned.
The new capabilities of the GPS IIF satellites will provide greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology; an increased design life of 12 years for long-term service and a new third civil signal (L5) to provide a more-robust signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications. The second civil signal (L2C) is available for dual-frequency equipment (Defense Daily, May 16).
Boeing said in February it will wrap up production of its three remaining GPS IIF satellites by the end of 2013 (Defense Daily, Feb. 21).