US: The US Air Force is preparing to replace the worst-performing satellite in its GPS positioning, navigation and timing constellation with a new satellite now slated for launch on May 15. Built by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, the GPS IIF-6 satellite will launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The GPS IIF satellites provide better accuracy and more resistance to jamming than the previous generation of GPS satellites, most of which are still in operation. The Air Force successfully launched its fifth GPS IIF satellite from Cape Canaveral February 20. In addition to the upcoming mission, the service is scheduled to launch two more GPS IIF satellites later this year. The new satellite will replace an earlier-generation GPS satellite that launched in June 1993. Air GPS operators in Colorado Springs, US, have labeled that satellite as the constellation’s worst performer, according to Col Steve Steiner, Chief of the Air Force’s GPS Space Systems Directorate.
Source: Space news
