GPS World: The satellite, designated GPS IIR-18 (M) joins the four IIR-M and 12 operational IIR satellites

The satellite, designated GPS IIR-18 (M), will join the four IIR-M satellites
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Dec 21, 2007
GPS World

GPS IIR-MA United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket successfully
launched the latest GPS satellite into orbit Thursday, the fifth in a
series of eight Block IIR-M satellites built by Lockheed Martin.

The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral and deployed the latest GPS
spacecraft following a nominal 68-minute flight.

"The successful deployment of this high-performance satellite
represents another important milestone in the modernization of the
GPS constellation and reflects our commitment to achieving mission
success for our customer," said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin's vice
president of Navigation Systems. "Our team is now focused on
performing a rapid and efficient on-orbit checkout to quickly place
the satellite's advanced navigational capabilities into operational
service."

Thursday's launch was the second GPS IIR-M mission in just two
months. The satellite, designated GPS IIR-18 (M), will join the four
IIR-M satellites and 12 operational IIR satellites currently in the
GPS constellation, which comprises 31 operational satellites overall.
GPS IIR-18 (M) will be replacing space vehicle number (SVN) 36, which
in turn will replace SVN 37, and be placed in orbital slot C1,
according to the U.S. Air Force.

Each IIR-M satellite includes a modernized antenna panel that
provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new
military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and
anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal
that will provide users with an open-access signal on a different
frequency.

The launch marked a milestone for United Launch Alliance, the 50-50
joint venture formed between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which are
otherwise corporate rivals. The ULA uses both Boeing-supplied Delta
and Lockheed Martin-supplied Atlas launch vehicles. "With the launch
of GPS IIR-18 (M), ULA comp letes a tremendously successful first year
of operation and demonstrates its commitment to 100 percent mission
success," said Mark Wilkins, ULA vice president of Delta Programs.

For next year, ULA currently has 23 scheduled launches on the
manifest from six launch complexes, which include 16 from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and seven from Vandenberg Air
Force Base, California. Among those launches are several GPS
satellite missions.