AF Reservists have vital role in GPS satellite launch
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --
The Air Force successfully launched the sixth Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite on May 16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Once the satellite separated from the rocket booster, Reservists from the 310th Space Wing took control of the satellite, assessed its health and began sending commands to the satellite, starting the journey to three-axis stabilization and operational use by millions of GPS users worldwide.
The launch marked the start of the satellite's life on-orbit, but it was hardly the beginning for the 19th Space Operations Squadron. 19th SOPS members began preparing for this mission in January by conducting the first of eight major tests and activities with Cape Canaveral to ensure the readiness of personnel, equipment and procedures for launch. Preparation activities culminated with a successful mission dress rehearsal in April which cleared the way for the May launch.
A GPS satellite launch is truly a total force initiative with Reservists working alongside active-duty Air Force personnel. 19th SOPS conducted the countdown, launch and early-orbit operations while the unit's active-duty partner, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, took care of payload checkout, system readiness, and procedure updates. The entire process was led by active-duty personnel from the Space and Missile Systems Center GPS Directorate from Los Angeles Air Force Base.
"This is the best display of TFI I have seen in my career and I am glad to be part of the team," said Lt. Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, 2nd SOPS commander. The launch team will have two more opportunities to showcase TFI this calendar year with the next launch in July and another in October.
The Boeing-built GPS IIF satellite provides global coverage and increased overall performance to users around the globe. The satellite provides greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology, a more resilient signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications and a longer design life of 12 years.
GPS provides accurate real time position, navigation and timing services and plays a major role in information resources supporting a variety of civil, scientific and commercial functions on land, sea and air. Operated by U.S. Air Force Space Command, the GPS constellation provides precise services worldwide 24-hours a day, and is committed to providing improved capabilities to ensure users around the globe receive the maximum benefits provided by GPS.
The launch marked the start of the satellite's life on-orbit, but it was hardly the beginning for the 19th Space Operations Squadron. 19th SOPS members began preparing for this mission in January by conducting the first of eight major tests and activities with Cape Canaveral to ensure the readiness of personnel, equipment and procedures for launch. Preparation activities culminated with a successful mission dress rehearsal in April which cleared the way for the May launch.
A GPS satellite launch is truly a total force initiative with Reservists working alongside active-duty Air Force personnel. 19th SOPS conducted the countdown, launch and early-orbit operations while the unit's active-duty partner, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, took care of payload checkout, system readiness, and procedure updates. The entire process was led by active-duty personnel from the Space and Missile Systems Center GPS Directorate from Los Angeles Air Force Base.
"This is the best display of TFI I have seen in my career and I am glad to be part of the team," said Lt. Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, 2nd SOPS commander. The launch team will have two more opportunities to showcase TFI this calendar year with the next launch in July and another in October.
The Boeing-built GPS IIF satellite provides global coverage and increased overall performance to users around the globe. The satellite provides greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology, a more resilient signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications and a longer design life of 12 years.
GPS provides accurate real time position, navigation and timing services and plays a major role in information resources supporting a variety of civil, scientific and commercial functions on land, sea and air. Operated by U.S. Air Force Space Command, the GPS constellation provides precise services worldwide 24-hours a day, and is committed to providing improved capabilities to ensure users around the globe receive the maximum benefits provided by GPS.
