spacetoday.net: Delta 4 launches GPS satellite

Posted: Fri, May 28, 2010, 8:12 AM ET (1212 GMT)
Delta 4 launch of GPS 2F-1 (ULA)

A Delta 4 launched the first of a new generation of GPS satellites late Thursday after several earlier attempts were scrubbed. The Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) lifted off on schedule at 11:00 pm EDT Thursday (0300 GMT Friday) from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral and placed the GPS 2F-1 satellite into medium Earth orbit about three and a half hours later. The launch had been scheduled for last week but was postponed by technical issues with the satellite and launcher. The spacecraft is the first in the Block 2F series of GPS satellites, built by Boeing, feature a new civil signal, increased accuracy, enhanced signal power for better resistance to jamming attempts, and a 12-year service life. The launch was also the first time a GPS satellite has been launched on an EELV; GPS satellites had previously been launched for many years on Delta 2 rockets, which are now being phased out.