Advanced Air Force GPS 2F Satellites Send First Signals
2017-05-15
The second of 12 U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) 2F satellites, SVN-63, was successfully launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket. The satellite’s manufacturer Boeing announced July 18 that the satellite is functioning normally and that has received SVN-63’s first on-orbit signals.
“SVN-63 is now ready to begin on-orbit maneuvers and operational testing. GPS signals from the spacecraft payload will be turned on for test purposes in the coming days. With safety checks completed, checkout will begin under the direction of the Air Force GPS Directorate,” Boeing said in a company statement.
The Delta 4 vehicle placed SVN-63 into medium Earth orbit shortly after launch. The satellite joins the Air Force’s previous 39 mission-compliant satellites from the GPS Block 1, Block 2/2A and GPS 2F missions. Boeing will officially turn over SVN-63 to the Air Force 50th Space Wing and the 2nd Space Operations Squadron this fall after the spacecraft completes on-orbit checkout procedure that includes payload and system checks to verify operability with the GPS constellation, ground receivers and the Operational Control Segment (OCS) system.
The GPS Block 2F satellites are the most advanced GPS spacecraft fielded by the Air Force to date, according to Jon Goodney, the GPS 2F deputy program director at Boeing. “GPS 2F enhances the constellation by providing increased accuracy through improved atomic clock technology, a more jam-resistant military signal and a more powerful and secure civilian signal to help commercial airline operations and search-and-rescue missions.”
Originally developed for military use, GPS satellites have since been adopted to support various applications of modern communications. The constellation features six orbital planes with multiple satellites flying in each.
“GPS 2F contributes to building a robust GPS constellation by providing increased accuracy through improved atomic clock technology; a more jam-resistant military signal; and a more powerful and secure civilian signal to help commercial airline operations and search-and-rescue missions,” Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems Vice President and General Manager Craig Cooning said in a statement.
