* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: NAVSTAR launch

Blobrana · L

The handover will occur after 1st SOPS Airmen and contractors have manoeuvred the GPS satellite into its permanent orbit -- a route that carries it around the Earth every 12 hours.

The Air Force Satellite Control Network, operated by 22nd SOPS here, also supported the Delta II launch through its tracking stations at Guam and Hawaii. Satellites typically lose telemetry contact with the ground during the turbulent launch process; the 22nd SOPS detachment at Guam Tracking Station received a signal from the booster approximately one hour after launch. The satellite then separated from the rocket and was acquired for the first time approximately 15 minutes later at Kaena Point Tracking Station, Hawaii.

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-- Edited by Blobrana at 10:50, 2006-09-27

Blobrana · L

The reliable Boeing Delta II launch vehicle, known as the workhorse of the launch industry in its payload class, successfully delivered to orbit earlier today a replenishment Block IIR Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

The Delta II rocket carrying the GPS IIR-15 (M) spacecraft lifted off from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 2:50 p.m. EDT, Sept. 24. Following a nominal 68-minute flight, the rocket deployed the satellite to a transfer orbit.

"We are honoured to have a continuing role in maintaining the GPS constellation, which is so vital to our nation's defence and security. The Delta team has launched all the GPS-II spacecraft and we look forward to continuing with the delivery of the replenishment satellites to keep the constellation operable 24-7" - Dan Collins, vice president, Boeing Launch Systems.

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Credit Carleton Bailie

The Boeing Delta II 7925-9.5 configuration vehicle used for today's mission featured a Boeing first stage booster powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and nine Alliant Techsystems (ATK) solid rocket boosters. An Aerojet AJ10-118K engine powered the storable propellant restartable second stage. A Thiokol Star-48B solid rocket motor propelled the third stage prior to spacecraft deployment. The rocket also flew with a nine-and-a-half-foot-diameter Boeing payload fairing.
A redundant inertial flight control assembly built by L3 Communications Space & Navigation provided guidance and control for the rocket that enabled a precise deployment of the satellite.
Boeing provides launches for the GPS program aboard Delta II vehicles and has a planned GPS manifest through at least 2007. The GPS IIR-15 (M) is the second of the modernised GPS satellites that incorporates various improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased resistance to interference and enhanced performance for users.
The GPS network supports U.S. military operations conducted from aircraft, ships, land vehicles and by ground personnel. Additional use includes mapping, aerial refuelling and rendezvous, geodetic surveys, and search and rescue operations.
GPS provides military and civilian users three-dimensional position location data in longitude, latitude and elevation as well as precise time and velocity. The satellites orbit the Earth every 12 hours, emitting continuous navigation signals. The signals are so accurate, time can be figured to within one millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile-per-second and location to within 100 feet.

Source

Blobrana · L

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TLE Data

OBJECT A
1 29486U 06042A   06268.82785306  .00006702  14895-6  10000-3 0    18
2 29486 039.9351 075.2660 6069479 015.6125 356.9194 04.03352380    03

Blobrana · L

L plus 1hour 30 minutes

Confirmation of spacecraft separation
All systems nominal

Credit: Boeing

Blobrana · L

L plus 1hour 12 minutes

Spacecraft acquisition from Guam tracking station

Blobrana · L

L plus 1hour 8 minutes

GPS separation

Blobrana · L

L plus 64 minutes

Ignition of spin rockets and 3rd stage ignition

Blobrana · L

The vehicle has passed out of range of the Ascension Island tracking site. The Guam tracking station will acquire the rocket's signal in about half-hour from now.

Blobrana · L

L plus 31 minutes

2nd stage engines will restart in 30 minutes