Further delays to the launch of the first GPS IIF satellites

Date: 2/2/2010

Source: Inside GNSS

The first GPS IIF satellites have missed the deadline for being moved to the launch site at Cape Canaveral. This is now unlikely to happen until February 2010. Due to an already busy 2010 schedule, the launch is now expected to happen at some point in “mid-2010”. However, before the spacecraft can be prepared for launch, the GPS wing still has to sign off on successful resolution of technical issues that have arisen with the next-generation spacecraft, including wiring on the IIF solar panels and susceptibility to radiation effects of some components.

In addition, the contract award for the modernisation of the GPS operational control segment (OCX) has now been delayed until February.

ITS Radar International will continue to monitor GPS

Key words: Communications, Galileo, Geographic information