GPS-IIR-20/M7 (USA-203) – Delta-7925 – Сарe Canaveral – 24.03.09 11:34 ДМВ

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm

24.03.2009  Navstar-2RM 7   Delta-7925     CC SLC-17

Информация о пуске видимо отсюда:
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/Quarterly%20Launch%20Report%201st%20Quarter%202009.pdf

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/navstar-2rm.htm

Navstar-2RM (GPS-2RM)
 

Navstar-2RM [Lockheed]
 
Navstar-2R (Navigation System using Timing And Ranging) or GPS-2RM are the third evolution stage of the second generation of the Navstar GPS satellites

The GPS-IIR  replenishment satellites are produced by General Electric Astrospace (later Martin Marietta and Lockheed Missiles & Space) under a contract issued in 1989, which included 21 satellites based on the commercial AS-4000 bus. These provided improved navigation accuracy and longer autonomous satellite operation than earlier model GPS satellites. The satellites were three-axis stabilized and operated at downlink frequencies of 1572.42 MHz and 1227.6 MHz (L-Band) and 2227.5 MHz (S-Band). Lockheed was responsible for launch and flight operations support of the GPS IIR through 2006.

Block IIR satellites provided dramatic improvements over previous blocks. They could determine their own position by performing inter-satellite ranging with other IIR vehicles. They also had reprogramable satellite processors enabling problem fixes and upgrades in flight, increased satellite autonomy, and radiation hardness.

Additionally, the Block IIR could be launched into any of the required GPS orbits at any time, assuming a 60-day advanced notice, and required many fewer ground contacts to maintain the constellation. All of these improvements result in increased accuracy for GPS users and a cost 33 percent less per satellite than the previous generation of Block IIA satellites. Up to 12 Block IIR satellites were to be modified to use the new military M-code on both the L1 and L2 channel as well as the more robust civil signal L2C on the L2 channel. The M-code signal was to enable GPS operations in a higher jamming environment and reduce vulnerability of military GPS-based systems. The first modified Block IIR (or IIRM) is planned for launch 2005.

[krypton]

Объявленное окно запуска 08:34-08:49 GMT.

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2009
A Delta 2 rocket plans to make a thunderous predawn ascent out of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Tuesday and hurl a new navigation satellite into the Global Positioning System.
Liftoff from pad 17A will be possible during a 15-minute period extending from 4:34 to 4:49 a.m. EDT (0834-0849 GMT).

Riding atop the three-stage rocket is GPS 2R-20, the latest spacecraft built to sustain the orbiting GPS constellation. It continues a series of modernized satellites equipped to transmit additional signals and provide improvements aimed at greater accuracy, tougher resistance to interference and enhanced performance for users around the world.

"This space vehicle is very clean and healthy. We're excited about the added capability this critical spacecraft will provide our nation," said Lt. Col. John Wagner, the Air Force spacecraft director and the commander of the 45th Launch Support Squadron at the Cape.

The craft will replace the aging GPS 2A-27 satellite launched in September 1996. Now well past its design life, ground controllers plan to move the old satellite into a backup role.

The new GPS 2R-20 spacecraft take over the Plane B, Slot 2 location of the navigation network, considered one of the primary positions in the constellation that is divided into six orbital groupings with multiple satellites flying in each.

The satellite is the 20th built by Lockheed Martin, but the two-ton craft is unique because it carries a special demonstration package to test a new civil signal planned for the aviation community.

"We're very excited about supporting the launch of this specific GPS satellite, which will be the first demonstration of a navigation frequency to be used in aviation applications," said Lt. Col. Erik Bowman, the Air Force launch director and the commander of the 1st Space Launch Squadron at the Cape.

The Air Force needs the satellite in orbit and the new frequency demonstrated before an International Telecommunications Union deadline in late August.

"This is a demonstration of that signal," said Tom Nagle, program manager of civil applications at the Transportation Department. "It is a key part of all aviation planning for the next generation aviation systems."

The Delta 2 rocket is celebrating its 20th anniversary of lofting GPS satellites, having debuted in February 1989 to begin assembling the constellation. The workhorse booster has successfully deployed 46 satellites for the navigation network over the past two decades, in addition to performing dozens of missions for NASA and commercial customers.

"The Delta 2 is ready to launch, and we look forward to completing our 140th successful launch in this storied 20-year history of Delta 2," said John Gerlitz, Air Force Delta 2 program manager at United Launch Alliance.

This is the next-to-last launch of the Delta 2 rocket for the Air Force. The final mission is planned for August to deploy the final GPS 2R-type satellite.

The next series of GPS 2F satellites, slated to begin flying later this year, will rely on the larger Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets.

Watch this page for live reports throughout the countdown and launch of GPS 2R-20!

And if you will be away from your computer but would like to receive occasional countdown updates, sign up for our Twitter feed to get text message updates on your cellphone. U.S. readers can also sign up from their phone by texting "follow spaceflightnow" to 40404. (Standard text messaging charges apply.)

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/090321launchtimeline.html

GPS 2R-20 launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: March 21, 2009

T-00:00 Liftoff
The Delta 2 rocket's main engine and twin vernier steering thrusters are started moments before launch. The six ground-start strap-on solid rocket motors are ignited at T-0 to begin the mission.
 
T+01:03.1 Ground SRM Burnout
The six ground-start Alliant TechSystems-built solid rocket motors consume all their propellant and burn out.
 
T+01:05.5 Air-Lit SRM Ignition
The three remaining solid rocket motors strapped to the Delta 2 rocket's first stage are ignited.
 
T+01:06.0 Jettison Ground SRMs
The six spent ground-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned in sets of three to fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
 
T+02:11.5 Jettison Air-Lit SRMs
Having burned out, the three spent air-started solid rocket boosters are jettisoned toward the Atlantic Ocean.
 
T+04:23.4 Main Engine Cutoff
After consuming its RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen, the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A first stage main engine is shut down. The vernier engines cut off moments later.
 
T+04:31.4 Stage Separation
The Delta rocket's first stage is separated now, having completed its job. The spent stage will fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
 
T+04:36.9 Second Stage Ignition
With the stage jettisoned, the rocket's second stage takes over. The Aerojet AJ118-K liquid-fueled engine ignites for the first of two firings needed to place the upper stage and GPS 2R-20 satellite into the proper orbit.
 
T+04:57.0 Jettison Payload Fairing
The 9.5-foot diameter payload fairing that protected the GPS 2R-20 satellite atop the Delta 2 during the atmospheric ascent is jettisoned is two halves.
 
T+10:48.1 Second Stage Cutoff 1
The second stage engine shuts down to complete its first firing of the launch. The rocket and attached GPS 2R-20 spacecraft are now in a coast period before the second stage reignites. The orbit achieved should be 111 miles at apogee, 94 miles at perigee and inclined 37.5 degrees.
 
T+62:29.2 Second Stage Restart
Delta's second stage engine reignites for a brief firing that will raise the orbit's high point.
 
T+63:11.7 Second Stage Cutoff 2
The second stage shuts down. The orbit achieved should be 670 miles at apogee, 103 miles at perigee and inclined 37.95 degrees. Over the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to spin up the vehicle in preparation for stage separation.
 
T+64:04.7 Stage Separation
The liquid-fueled second stage is jettisoned from the rest of the Delta 2 rocket.
 
T+64:41.7 Third Stage Ignition
The Thiokol Star 48B solid-fueled third stage is ignited to deliver the GPS 2R-20 satellite into its intended orbit around Earth.
 
T+66:08.4 Third Stage Burnout
Having used up all its solid-propellant, the third stage burns out to completed the powered phase of the launch sequence for GPS 2R-20.
 
T+68:01.7 GPS 2R-20 Separation
The U.S. Air Force's NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R-20 spacecraft is released into space. The Delta should have placed the satellite into a transfer orbit with a high point of 10,998 nautical miles and low point of 104 nautical miles inclined 40 degrees. The satellite will circularize its orbit and raise inclination to 55 degrees for joining the GPS constellation.

http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/space/2009/03/live-at-cape-canaveral-weather-now-95.shtml

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Live At Cape Canaveral: Weather Now 95% "Go"

The countdown to the planned launch of a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is continuing without problems and the weather forecast is looking even better.

In his T-Minus 60 minute briefing, Launch Weather Officer Joel Tumbiolo increased to probability of acceptable launch weather to 95 percent. He and the Air Force 45th Weather Squadron had been slightly concerned about the possibility of thick clouds moving into the area from the northwest. But the latest satellite imagery shows little chance of that happening, so Tumbiolo said, a weather reconnaissance aircraft that had been on standby will not need to take off.

The Air Force-United Launch Alliance launch team now is conducting engine steering tests on the first and second stages of the vehicle. The slewing tests are done to make certain the rocket engines will be steered properly in flight.

The first of two built-in holds in the terminal countdown is coming up at 3:49 p.m. at T-Minus 15 minutes. It's a 20-minute hold designed to allow engineers to catch up on any work or to troublshoot any problems, but all is proceeding on schedule and no issues are being worked.

The final 10-minute built will come at 4:20 a.m. when the clock reaches T-Minus 4 minutes. Final management polls will be conducted at that time and if all is well, then the final countdown would pick up at 4:30 a.m.

posted by Todd Halvorson at 3:35 AM

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0756 GMT (3:56 a.m. EDT)
GPS 2R-20 will become the 216th primary payload put into space by the venerable Delta 2 rocket over the past 20 years. Here's a look at some other stats about today's mission. This will be:
The 340th Delta rocket launch since 1960
The fourth Delta of 2009
The 142nd Delta 2 rocket mission since 1989
The 68th Delta 2 rocket fly in the 7925 configuration
The 59th GPS satellite to launch
The 48th time a Delta 2 has launched with a GPS satellite
The 20th GPS Block 2R satellite and 7th modernized
The 107th Delta 2 rocket to fly from Cape Canaveral
The 61st Delta 2 launch from pad 17A


0804 GMT (4:04 a.m. EDT)
The launch team is being polled for "ready" status to resume the countdown at the end of the hold as scheduled.

0808 GMT (4:08 a.m. EDT)
The GPS 2R-20 spacecraft cargo atop the Delta 2 rocket is now switching to internal power for launch.

0809 GMT (4:09 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 15 minutes and counting. Countdown clocks are running again following the planned 20-minute hold. The count will continue to the T-minus 4 minute mark where another planned hold is scheduled. Launch remains set to occur at 4:34 a.m. EDT (0834 GMT).

0814 GMT (4:14 a.m. EDT)
The Lockheed Martin-built GPS spacecraft payload is now confirmed to be on internal battery power for flight.
"In addition to this being our seventh modernized GPS satellite, it will also carry a new research and development demonstration payload for transmitting a third civil signal known as L5. The signal is in a protected band of frequencies, which will provide a second signal to aviation users," said Mike Dunn, technical director of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Global Positioning Systems Wing.

0815 GMT (4:15 a.m. EDT)
The first stage kerosene fuel tank is being pressurized for flight.

0818 GMT (4:18 a.m. EDT)
The launch weather officer confirms the current conditions are acceptable for liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket this morning.

0820 GMT (4:20 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 4 minutes and holding. The countdown has entered the final planned hold point for today's launch attempt. During this planned 10-minute hold, officials will poll the team members in the various control centers to ensure all systems are "go" to proceed with the countdown for liftoff at 4:34 a.m. EDT.

[Salo]

Видео:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/Delta_II_GPS_IIR-20.html

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0832 GMT (4:32 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes. Pressurization of the first stage liquid oxygen is now beginning. Puffs of vapor from a relief valve on the rocket will be seen in the remainder of the countdown as the tank pressure stabilizes.
0831 GMT (4:31 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The GPS spacecraft has been declared "go" for launch.
0831 GMT (4:31 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 3 minutes and counting. The rocket's third stage safe and arm devices are being armed.
0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 3 minutes, 45 seconds. The Delta 2 rocket's systems are now transferring to internal power for launch.
0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT)
T-minus 4 minutes and counting! The Delta 2 rocket is ready to launch the GPS 2R-20 military navigation satellite at 4:34 a.m. EDT from pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
0829 GMT (4:29 a.m. EDT)
Standing by to resume the countdown in one minute. A "go" to continue the count has been announced. Clocks will be ticking down from the T-minus 4 minute, targeting a launch at 4:34 a.m. EDT.
At liftoff, the six ground-lit solid boosters and the first stage main engine will fire to power the Delta away from pad 17A and begin the 68-minute ascent to deploy the GPS 2R-20 satellite.

0828 GMT (4:28 a.m. EDT)
Two minutes remain in the built-in hold. The Air Force status check was just conducted.
0826 GMT (4:26 a.m. EDT)
Final instructions are being given the launch team before the countdown resumes.
0825 GMT (4:25 a.m. EDT)
No problems were reported during the readiness poll of the launch team.
0825 GMT (4:25 a.m. EDT)
Launch team readiness polling is beginning.
0824 GMT (4:24 a.m. EDT)
Liftoff of the newest Global Positioning System satellite is just ten minutes away.
"GPS 2R-20, built by Lockheed Martin, is a continuation of the modernization program that provides new signals and enhanced capabilities to ensure improved accuracy and signal availability to our users," said Mike Dunn, technical director of the Space and Missile Systems Center's Global Positioning Systems Wing.

"GPS contributes vital capabilities to our nation's military operations, global information infrastructure, emergency response, transportation and telecommunication industries, the international economy and everyday life.

"Our commitment is to ensure this emerging capability continues to deliver precise positioning, navigation and timing service to users around the globe."

[Salo]

Две минуты до старта

[Salo]

Пошла

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0850 GMT (4:50 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 16 minutes. The official liftoff time was 4:34:00.244 a.m. EDT.
0847 GMT (4:47 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 13 minutes. The rocket is flying out of range from the Antigua tracking station. The next site to acquire signal will be Ascension Island in about seven minutes.
0845 GMT (4:45 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 11 minutes, 18 seconds. The vehicle is 97.4 miles in altitude, 1,686 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling at 16,685 mph.
0844 GMT (4:44 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 10 minutes, 54 seconds. SECO 1. The second stage engine cutoff has occurred, completing the motor's first firing of the day. The Delta 2 rocket with GPS 2R-20 has arrived in a preliminary orbit around Earth following launch today from Cape Canaveral. The vehicle will coast for about 52 minutes before the second stage is re-ignited.
0844 GMT (4:44 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 10 minutes, 20 seconds. The vehicle is 97 miles in altitude, 1,466 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling at 16,206 mph.
0844 GMT (4:44 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 10 minutes. About a minute left in this initial firing of the second stage.
0843 GMT (4:43 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes, 20 seconds. The vehicle is 97 miles in altitude, 1,250 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling at 15,403 mph.
0843 GMT (4:43 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes. The second stage engine is still firing, consuming a hydrazine propellant mixture and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. This burn is needed to achieve a parking orbit around Earth.
0842 GMT (4:42 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 8 minutes, 30 seconds. The vehicle is 95.9 miles in altitude, 1,074 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling at 14,776 mph.
0841 GMT (4:41 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 30 seconds. The vehicle is 92 miles in altitude, 864 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling 14,074 mph.
0840 GMT (4:40 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 6 minutes, 45 seconds. The vehicle is 87 miles in altitude, 712 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling 13,600 mph.
0840 GMT (4:40 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 6 minutes, 30 seconds. Second stage engine chamber pressure continues to look good.
0839 GMT (4:39 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 5 minutes, 50 seconds. The vehicle is 78 miles in altitude, 549 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling 13,173 mph.
0839 GMT (4:39 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 5 minutes, 10 seconds. The vehicle is 69 miles in altitude, 426 miles downrange from the launch pad and traveling 12,857 mph.
0838 GMT (4:38 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 56 seconds. The rocket's nose cone enclosing the spacecraft has been jettisoned.
0838 GMT (4:38 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 40 seconds. The spent first stage has been jettisoned and the Delta's second stage engine has ignited!
0838 GMT (4:38 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 26 seconds. MECO. The first stage main engine cutoff is confirmed.
0838 GMT (4:38 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes. A half-minute remaining in the first stage burn. Everything is reported normal aboard the vehicle.
0836 GMT (4:36 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 35 seconds. The vehicle is 44 nautical miles in altitude, 177 miles downrange from the launch pad, traveling at 8,479 mph.
0837 GMT (4:37 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 20 seconds. The main engine is still firing normally, burning a mixture of highly refined kerosene fuel and supercold liquid oxygen.
0837 GMT (4:37 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes. The vehicle is 37 nautical miles in altitude, 117 miles downrange from the launch pad, traveling at 6,617 mph.
0836 GMT (4:36 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The vehicle is 28.8 nautical miles in altitude, 75.1 miles downrange from the launch pad, traveling at 5,366 mph.
0836 GMT (4:36 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 2 minutes, 15 seconds. The three air-ignited solid rocket boosters have burned out and separated. The rocket is now flying solely on the power generated by the liquid-fueled first stage main engine.
0835 GMT (4:35 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 1 minute, 10 seconds. All six ground-start solid rocket boosters have burned out of propellant and separated from the Delta 2's first stage. A moment before the jettison occurred, the three remaining motors strapped to rocket ignited to continue assisting the rocket's RS-27A main engine on the push to space.
0834 GMT (4:34 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 56 seconds. The Delta 2 rocket has passed through the region of maximum aerodynamic pressure during its atmospheric ascent.
0834 GMT (4:34 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 35 seconds. The vehicle is now breaking through the sound barrier.
0834 GMT (4:34 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 30 seconds. The six solid rocket motors ignited on the launch pad have surpassed their period of maximum thrust. Each of the Alliant Techsystems-made boosters generate roughly 100,000 pounds of thrust.
0834 GMT (4:34 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 20 seconds. Delta is maneuvering on course to deliver the GPS 2R-20 spacecraft into the world's premier navigation network.
0834 GMT (4:34 a.m. EDT)
LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket, continuing 20 years of building and maintaining the Global Positioning System. And the vehicle has cleared the tower!

[Salo]

Буклет к запуску

http://www.ulalaunch.com/launch/gps_iir-20/GPS_IIR20_MOB.pdf  2,5 Мб

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0919 GMT (5:19 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 45 minutes. According to the launch sequence, the thermal conditioning roll of the rocket will end in about 11 minutes. Ignition of the second stage is coming up in 17 minutes.


0909 GMT (5:09 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 35 minutes. Restart of second stage engine is expected at about T+plus 62 minutes, 29 seconds. The stage will fire for approximately 42 seconds to raise the orbit's high point, or apogee. That will be followed by separation between the second and third stages. The upper stage will burn to inject GPS into the intended transfer orbit. Deployment of the payload to complete the launch is expected at T+plus 68 minutes.


0900 GMT (5:00 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 26 minutes, 10 seconds. The vehicle just passed out of range from the Ascension Island tracking site in the central Atlantic Ocean. The next station to acquire the rocket's signal will be Guam a half-hour from now.
As this coast phase of the launch continues, you can see a map of the rocket's planned track here.

0855 GMT (4:55 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 21 minutes, 30 seconds. Ascension Island is relaying data from the rocket to engineers at Cape Canaveral.
The orbit is right on the pre-planned parameters, the telemetry manager says.

0853 GMT (4:53 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 19 minutes. As the rocket coasts in this parking orbit, it performs a "BBQ roll" maneuver to keep the thermal conditions on the vehicle equal. This maneuver was scheduled to start at about T+plus 17 minutes, 20 seconds and conclude at T+plus 56 minutes, 25 seconds.

[Salo]

Есть второе включение второй ступени.

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0937 GMT (5:37 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 63 minutes, 15 seconds. The second stage has completed its second burn of this launch. In the next minute, tiny thrusters on the side of the rocket will be fired to spin up the vehicle in preparation for jettison of the second stage.
0936 GMT (5:36 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 62 minutes, 40 seconds. The Delta 2 rocket's second stage is firing again to boost the vehicle into a higher orbit.
0936 GMT (5:36 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 62 minutes, 22 seconds. The Guam tracking site is receiving data from the rocket and relaying that telemetry back to Cape Canaveral.
0934 GMT (5:34 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 60 minutes. The rocket is soaring over the western Pacific Ocean, and restart of the second stage engine is just a couple of minutes away.
0927 GMT (5:27 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 53 minutes. The Delta 2 rocket should be coming within the Guam tracking station's coverage zone in about 10 minutes, restoring a live telemetry link from the vehicle.
0919 GMT (5:19 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 45 minutes. According to the launch sequence, the thermal conditioning roll of the rocket will end in about 11 minutes. Ignition of the second stage is coming up in 17 minutes.

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0940 GMT (5:40 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 66 minutes, 11 seconds. The third stage has burned out of its solid fuel, ending the Delta 2 rocket's powered flight for the launch of the GPS 2R-20 spacecraft. Separation of the payload is about two minutes away.
0939 GMT (5:39 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 65 minutes, 40 seconds. Good chamber pressure on the third stage.
0938 GMT (5:38 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 64 minutes, 57 seconds. Third stage ignition! The Thiokol Star 48B motor is firing to propel the GPS 2R-20 satellite into its targeted orbit for this launch.
0938 GMT (5:38 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 64 minutes, 20 seconds. The solid-fueled third stage has spun up.
As the launch sequence continues with the third stage burn and subsequent deployment of the GPS 2R-20 satellite, the second stage will conduct one additional engine firing to deplete its remaining fuel supply and lower its orbital inclination. This is designed to minimize the amount of land that the stage flies over during its natural fall from orbit and future reentry.

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d340/status.html

0944 GMT (5:44 a.m. EDT)
Delta has delivered the GPS 2R-20 spacecraft into a highly elliptical transfer orbit. The satellite will fire its own kick motor Thursday to circularize the orbit. Deployment of the solar panels and antenna appendages is planned for Friday. The satellite should be checked out and ready to join the navigation network in a couple of weeks to replace an aging craft more than 12 years old.
0942 GMT (5:42 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 68 minutes, 16 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System Block 2R-20 spacecraft has been released from the Delta 2 rocket's third stage to complete this early morning launch from Cape Canaveral.

[Salo]

Мои поздравления! :wink:

[Чебурашка]

Походу, у сабжа GPS-IIR-20 есть серьёзные проблемы.
Прошло почти два месяца, а новый спутник не введён в эксплуатацию.

Наблюдатели говорят, что спутник выдаёт навигационные сигналы с большей чем у его собратьев погрешностю: http://gnss.servolux.nl/2009/05/detailed-look-at-gps-satellite-svn.html. Проблему пытаються пофиксить путём уточнения эфемирид.

Как известно, данный аппарат впервые оборудован передатчиками навигационных сигналов на частоте L5. Эти сигналы, начиная с 9 апреля, успешно принимаются потребителями.

Может ли причина аномалий с сбажем заключаться в проблемах с электромагнитной совместимостью старого и нового навигационного оборудования  :?:

[Чебурашка]

Специальной темы про GPS на нашёл, поэтому напишу сюда.

Интересный график из доклада бюджетного управления конгресса США.

Что будет, если готовность к запуску спутников Block IIIА задержится на 2 года от текущих графиков. А глядя на 3-летнюю задержку с вводом Block-IIF, есть все основания полагать, что так и будет.

По оси Х - время.
По оси Y - веротяность сохранить в состоаве группировки GPS, соотвественно,  24, 21 и 18 спутников.



Как видим, вероятность сохранить к 2017 году группировку в полном составе в случае задержки с Block-III становится изчезающе малой. Неужели американцы позволят развалить свою навигационную систему  :?: