New GPS IIF Satellite Launched

A new GPS IIF-5 satellite was successfully launched at the end of the designated launch window at 01:59 UTC on February 21.  This new one replace the aging spacecraft known as GPS IIA-28 in Plane A, Slot 3 of the constellation.

It  forms part of the first of three GPS launches planned through July to replace aging craft in the constellation. GPS IIF-5 incrementally upgrades the constellation with improved accuracy, enhanced internal atomic clocks, better anti-jam resistance, a civil signal for commercial aviation, and a longer design life, all features of the Boeing-build Block IIF series. This will be the fifth of 12 Block IIF spacecraft being built to form the backbone of the GPS fleet for the next 15 years.

The video showing the launch is included herein.....