Today at 10:35 UTC the last Delta II rocket was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A carrying the final modernized GPS IIR Satellite, designated GPS IIR-21(M), into the Earth’s Orbit at an altitude of about 20,000 km.
Delta II launch as view from NASA's Operations Support Building - Photo Source: http://twitter.com/herrea
Delta II Launch - Photo Source: http://twitter.com/FlyingJenny
One more pic of todays Delta II launch - Photo Source: http://twitter.com/apacheman
The new satellite is another in a series equipped with modernized features designed as a bridge from the current generation of GPS spacecraft to the future ones. The upgraded craft transmit additional signals and offer improvements aimed at greater accuracy, tougher resistance to interference and enhanced performance for users around the globe.
The new civilian signal removes navigation errors caused by the Earth’s ionosphere. The military advancements will provide a more robust jam-resistant signal and enable better targeting of GPS-guided weapons in hostile environments.
www.spaceflightnow.com
Global Positioning Satellite IIRM Art - Image Source: Lockheed Martin
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