Last of 12 GPS IIF satellites arrive at Cape Canaveral for processing

By Chrissy Cuttita, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published October 09, 2015

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The last Air Force GPS IIF in a block of 12 satellites was delivered to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, from Boeing's manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California, Oct. 8 via a C-17 Globemaster III.

A crowd from the government and industry partnership, who will complete the satellite's final assembly, gathered on the Cape's "Skid Strip" to watch the off-loading of the satellite they will prepare to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket in 2016.

"This GPS IIF-12 satellite represents the end of a legacy as it will be the last of the 61 GPS satellites processed here at (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station)," said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, the 45th Space Wing commander. "This culminates an incredible 27-year legacy at our Area 59 Satellite Processing Facility. We are the nation's premier gateway to space and are humbled to be a part of the team that provides GPS and its capabilities to the world."

Although there have been other models of GPS launched into space, the Airmen-led processing team at Area 59 is particularly proud to begin preparations to send the last IIF block satellite into orbit. They've been behind every launch of the series since the first GPS IIF launched here in May 2010.

"Our combined team's objective is 100 percent mission success each and every time," said Col. Eric Krystkowiak, the 45th Launch Group commander. "My Airmen work, in partnership, with Boeing and the system program office at the Space and Missile Systems Center throughout the final stages of satellite processing prior to launch. From spacecraft containerization, shipment from California, the arrival at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Landing Strip, final checkouts, fueling and encapsulation, the team is laser focused on identifying and mitigating any issues that could potentially jeopardize mission success."

The Boeing-assembled GPS IIF 12 that arrived at the Cape Canaveral will undergo a series of prelaunch preparations, checks and rehearsals. These included functional checkout of the spacecraft, compatibility testing, battery installation, fueling, mating to the payload adapter and obtaining a final flight weight.

Members of the quality assurance team range from young military officers to career enlisted troops and seasoned civilians.

"Mission assurance at the launch base is executed with our 'triad' of professionals," Krystkowiak said. "Our mission assurance technicians are enlisted personnel with many years of experience in missile maintenance who are fully engaged and observe the contractor's work with the satellite. They bring their hands-on experience, strict technical compliance and discipline to the satellite processing realm. Beside them are our company grade officers and civilian engineers who bring their engineering rigor and innovative ideas into the process. Lastly are our Aerospace Corporation partners who provide invaluable experience and legacy system insight to the team with their continuity of satellite processing. Many of these members have been here at the Cape since GPS first launched in 1989 and achieved full operational capability in 1995."

A field program manager for the team interfaces with 45th SW leadership, the Air Force SMC and the contracted partners throughout the months in between the satellite's delivery and its launch.

The Evolved Expendable Launch vehicle is used to launch GPS satellites from Cape Canveral into nearly 11,000-mile circular orbits. While circling the Earth, GPS satellites transmit extremely accurate timing data on multiple L-band frequencies. Design life across the satellite blocks range from 7.5 to 12 years, but many are lasting more than 20 years, with the oldest vehicle turning 25 in November 2015.

The GPS Master Control Station, operated by the 50th SW's 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, is responsible for monitoring and controlling the GPS as a 24-satellite system, consisting of six orbital planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane. There are currently 39 vehicles in the GPS constellation.

GPS satellites serve and protect U.S. warfighters by providing navigational assistance and timing standards for military operations on land, at sea and in the air. Civilian users around the world also use and depend on GPS for highly accurate time, location, and velocity information.