Air Force Announces Successful Launch of the Fourth GPS IIF-4 Satellite

A U.S. Air Force GPS satellite built by Boeing was successfully launched Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launch Vehicle.

The fourth GPS IIF satellite, Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 66, boasts greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology as well as a more robust signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications.

Additionally, the satellite comes with a 12-year design life providing long-term service.

Altogether, according to a report from the U.S. Air Force, “These upgrades improved anti-jam capabilities for the warfighter and improved security for military and civil users around the world.”

Among those who expressed their satisfaction with the launch was Col. Bernie Gruber, director of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Global Positioning Systems Directorate.

“I’m extremely pleased with today’s launch and delighted to be part of this mission that enhances our nation’s critical GPS capability,” Gruber said, expressing his thanks to the 45th and 50th Space Wings, United Launch Alliance, the Atlas V and GPS IIF launch teams and industry partners.

Going forward, Gruber said the GPS, like those before it, will be a boon to parties around the world.

“Our goal is to deliver sustained, reliable GPS capabilities to America’s warfighters, our allies and civil users around the world,” Gruber said, “and this is done by maintaining GPS performance, fielding new capabilities and developing more robust modernized capabilities for the future.”

Originally designed for military and intelligence purposes during the Cold War, the first satellite system was launched into space by the United States in 1960.

Once the technology proved its value, the U.S. government proceeded to launch 11 “Block satellites” between 1978 and 1985, eventually opening it up for civilian applications after the USSR shot down a Korean passenger jet in 1983.

By the summer of 1993, the United States had launched the 24th Navstar satellite into orbit, thus completing the modern constellation of 24 satellites known as GPS.