Article Posted on : - Jul 15, 2011

CAPE CANAVERAL (BNS): The launch of an advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite for US Air Force has been delayed by a day following bad weather.

The GPS IIF-2, the second of 12 new-generation GPS systems, was scheduled to lift off by a Delta V rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Friday.

The launch was scrubbed due to unfavourable weather, United Launch Alliance said.

The launch is rescheduled at 2.41 EDT (0641 GMT) Saturday with a launch window of 19 minutes, it said.

The Boeing-made GPS IIF-2 will join the first satellite of the series, GPS IIF-1, which was launched in May 2010 and became operational three months later.

The satellite joined the already orbiting 31-satellite GPS constellation. The constellation provides accurate navigation, positioning and timing information to more than 1 billion military and civilian users around the world.

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.

Boeing has been contracted to build 12 GPS IIF satellites.

The US Air Force plans to launch a number of the new-gen satellites in the coming years to replace the existing GPS satellites operational since 1989.