GPS IIF-7 Launch

An Atlas V rocket carrying the GPS II-7 satellite for the Air Force launches from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-41, Aug. 1. This is the second successful launch in just four days from Cape Canaveral AFS. GPS IIF-7 is the seventh in a series of next-generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. (Photos courtesy of United Launch Alliance)

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Reservists play vital role in 3rd GPS launch this year

Published Aug. 11, 2014
By Major Kim Adams
19th Space Operations Squadron

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Air Force successfully launched the seventh Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite on Aug 1 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. This launch marks the third this calendar year, which is a milestone that hasn't been accomplished since 2004.
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 immediately following the previous mission in May 2014 by conducting 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 June which cleared the way for the August 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, California. The launch team will have one more opportunity to showcase TFI this calendar year with another launch in October.
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.

GPS IIF-7 Launch