Article Posted on : - Aug 04, 2014

The Atlas V rocket lifts off with the GPS IIF-7 satellite. An ULA photo

CAPE CANAVERAL (BNS): The seventh Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite for the US Air Force has reached orbit and started sending signals after its launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force station on August 2.

The GPS IIF-7 was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral at 11:23 pm EDT on August 1 (0323 GMT Aug. 2).

It is the seventh of 12 such satellites Boeing has built for the US Air Force and the third on-orbit delivery this year. It joins six other GPS IIF series of advanced navigation satellites already in orbit.

Boeing and the Air Force will complete the full on-orbit checkout of the satellite next month.

The GPS IIF series of satellites offer new and enhanced capabilities, including a jam-resistant military signal, greater accuracy through improved atomic clock technology, and a protected civilian L5 signal to aid commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications. The new systems have longer life span than the previous generation of satellites.

The next GPS system, the GPS IIF-8, is slated for launch later this year and it has arrived at Cape Canaveral on July 16 to undergo final launch preparations.