* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: NAVSTAR GPS 2R-18 (M5)

Blobrana · L

The weather forecast gives an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions for todays launch
There is good visibility with scattered cumulus clouds at 2,500 and scattered cirrus clouds at 25,000 feet.
Winds are 10 - 12 knots easterly and the temperature is 73 degrees F.

GEOS satellite, Visible - infrared image taken at 16:15 UT

Blobrana · L

A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket in a 7925 vehicle configuration will launch the NAVSTAR GPS 2R-18 (M5) (Global Positioning System Block 2R) military navigation satellite from SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral, Florida at 19:59-20:13 GMT (14:59-15:13 EST), 20th December, 2007.

The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The system is operated and controlled by the 50th Space Wing, located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.
The GPS constellation is designed and operated as a 24-satellite system, consisting of six orbital planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane.
The Delta II expendable launch vehicle is used to launch GPS satellites from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida., into nearly 11,000-mile circular orbits. While circling the earth, the systems transmit signals on two different L-band frequencies. Their design life is 7.5 years, but many are lasting more than 10 - 12 years.

Read more