An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Last GPS satellite of its generation launched Aug. 17

  • Published
  • By Capt. Maren Barney
  • 310th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  "I've got it," said Lt. Col. Deanna M. Burt, 2nd Space Operations Squadron commander.

The commander of the Regular Air Force squadron took control of Air Force Space Command's newest GPS satellite 73 minutes after the launch of a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Aug. 17.

At 6:35 a.m. (4:35 a.m. MDT), the last GPS IIR-series satellite headed into space. The 45th Space Wing from Patrick AFB, Fla., conducted launch operations but after the satellite separated from the rocket, the 2nd SOPS and Air Force Reserve Command's 19th SOPS at Schriever AFB took over responsibility.

"First acquisition is when the satellite becomes ours," said 19th SOPS commander Lt. Col. Traci L. Kueker-Murphy. "That's when the satellite finally separates from the rocket and starts sending its own telemetry signals that we pick up to determine its location and attitude."

A satellite launch requires the support of almost 1,000 people; from the launch operations people at Cape Canaveral to the people at Schriever waiting to take possession. This satellite will join an on-orbit constellation of 34 GPS IIAs and IIRs, bringing the count to 35.

"This satellite will enhance our GPS constellation and provide us with better navigation and more capability," Colonel Kueker-Murphy said. "Additionally, we're getting ready to enter a new era with the next generation GPS Block IIF, projected to launch in January 2010."

GPS provides all-weather precise navigation and timing to users around the world. The robust constellation ensures U.S. troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere are getting the best information available about their location and that of their targets, keeping them out of harm's way.

The satellite launched Aug. 17 will go through a process of initialization and maneuvering to place it in its operational orbit. This process takes less than a month and then the satellite will be ready for use.

The GPS satellite program at Schriever is operated in a collaborative effort between the two squadrons.

"We have a great symbiotic total force relationship with 2nd SOPS. We have a 'divide and conquer' mentality toward our workload," Colonel Kueker-Murphy said. "The reservists specialize in launch and modernization of GPS and augment the 2nd SOPS, while the 2nd SOPS is able to focus on day-to-day operations that deliver combat effects to the warfighter." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)