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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – A rocket, the latest of its kind, delivered Thursday the newest and most powerful GPS satellite in the air force 's orbit.
United Launch Alliance's Delta IV middle class rocket exploded in a misty morning sky from Cape Canaveral Air Base. It was a swan song suitable for the rocket. The president of the company, Tory Bruno, tweeted that the takeoff was "hot, direct and normal".
Two hours later, the satellite parted from the upper floor and the company declared success.
The Delta IV Medium has completed its 17 years of existence with 29 launches. The Denver-based United Launch Alliance has announced that it will be replaced by the Vulcan rocket under development. The Delta IV Heavy, meanwhile, will continue to skyrocket.
The newly launched GPS satellite is the second in a series of next-generation navigation spacecraft. He is nicknamed Magellan after the 16th century Portuguese explorer. Lockheed Martin, also based in Colorado, built the satellite.
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