spacetoday.net: Delta 2 launches GPS satellite for final time

Delta 2 launches GPS satellite for final time

Posted: Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 3:02 PM ET (1902 GMT)
Delta 2 launch of GPS 2R-21 (ULA)

A Delta 2 rocket launched a GPS navigation satellite early Monday, completing a 20-year run of launches of such satellites. The Delta 2 7925-9.5 lifted off from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral at 6:35 am EDT (1035 GMT) Monday and released the GPS 2R-21(M) satellite into orbit 68 minutes later. The satellite was the last of nearly 50 launched by the Delta 2 over the last 20 years, as future, heavier GPS satellites will be launched on larger EELVs, and is also the last Air Force mission for the Delta 2. Several more Delta 2 launches for commercial and NASA customers are planned over the next few years before the launch vehicle is retired. The launch was also the last from pad 17A; the remaining Delta 2 launched will use neighboring pad 17B or launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.