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The United States Space Force, Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) and its mission partners successfully launched the Lockheed Martin-built fourth GPS III satellite at 6:24 p.m. Nov. 5 from Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida. The satellite was put into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 launcher from Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX).
The GPS III SV04 separated from its upper stage approximately 90 minutes after launch. US Space Force and Lockheed Martin engineers at the company’s Denver launch and control operations center said the GPS III SV04 was “separate” from its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and “flew” under their control. . Using its own on-board liquid apogee engine to climb into operational orbit, it will make its way to its station about 12,550 miles above Earth.
Once there, engineers will send the satellite commands to deploy its solar panels and antennas, and prepare the GPS III SV04 for handover to Space Operations Command. Engineers and operators of the Lockheed Martin facility in Waterton will begin in-orbit verification and testing, which is estimated to take about a month. Operational use should begin in a few months.
Originally slated for a September launch, it was pushed back twice, the last time on October 2 due to a stuck 1/16 ″ engine valve. The first stage thruster landed on a droneship parked in the Atlantic Ocean nine minutes after takeoff. It will return to the platform for a reuse flight during another GPS satellite mission in 2021.
The GPS III SV04 will join the current GPS constellation made up of 31 operational spacecraft. GPS III, the latest generation of GPS satellites, brings new capabilities to users.
[Photo: The Falcon 9 carrying GPS III SV04 lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Nov 5. A single long-exposure shot that captures the full launch. The thick streak of light from the ground is the first stage. The arc and thinner streak is the booster falling back to earth after the engines shut down for separation. Courtesy SpaceX.]
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