Boeing, USAF complete GPS IIF constellation
Boeing and the US Air Force have launched the 12th Boeing-built satellite, thereby completing the GPS IIF constellation, the company announced on 5 February.
The GPS IIF-12 is expected to be formally declared operational in around one month after undergoing on-orbit tests. It will become the 50th GPS satellite that Boeing will have delivered on orbit to the USAF.
GPS IIF-12 took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 5 February aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle. The spacecraft was released into its medium Earth orbit around three hours and 23 minutes after launch.
Dan Hart, vice president, Boeing Government Satellite Systems, said: ‘This GPS IIF milestone builds on our 40-plus years of GPS experience and a strong government-Boeing partnership.
‘We continue investing in GPS innovation while driving down costs, keeping GPS prepared to meet current and future demands.’
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