| Author | Message | ||
     Sparky |
Having retired working on this satellite program, I'm proud to announce some good news: The first launch of a Boeing built GPS IIF satellite, SV1, on a Boeing Delta IV rocket is set for tonight. A live webcast of the launch can be seen on the United Launch Alliance website multimedia link starting at 11 PM EDT tonight 5/21. Click Launch Webcast link. If your browser doesn't support the exact plug-in required, there is an option to use Windows Media Player instead. This is the first of 12 next-generation GPS Block IIF satellites. From Boeing: "IIF features more capability and improved mission performance. Each satellite delivers: --Two times greater predicted signal accuracy than heritage satellites -- New L5 signals for more robust civil, commercial aviation -- Military signal "M-code" and variable power for better resistance to jamming in hostile environments, meeting the needs of emerging doctrines of navigation warfare -- A 12-year design life providing long-term service and reduced operating costs -- An on-orbit, reprogrammable processor, receiving software uploads for improved system operation" Go Delta IV! Go GPS IIF SV-1! Go USA! | ||
| Scottykrein |
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| Reepicheep |
Neat! I have a friend at Wright Patt that is a professor doing all sorts of GPS voodoo that he can't talk about (and that I couldn't understand if he did talk about it...) Congrats! You must be proud of working on something that will orbit the earth, very cool! | ||
| Aesquire |
Yea! Light that candle! | ||
| Sparky |
Launch scrubbed. We try again tomorrow. The first delay (5/20) was a problem with a piece of Ground Support Equipment (GSE). IDK yet if tonight's scrub was the SV, rocket, GSE or operator error that caused tonight's scrub but I'll try to find out. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Will they try it again tonight? | ||
| Cataract2 |
Hm, might need to make a trip to 2SOPS. | ||
| Sparky |
Launch update: It's in a 48 hr hold and is rescheduled for Sunday May 23rd, 11:17 - 11:35 pm EDT or 8:17 - 8:35 pm on the west coast. No problem with the SV or the Delta rocket. Apparently there was loss of hardline telemetry (through the umbilicals) from the SV/pad to the NAVSTAR Processing Facility which prevented verifying some alarms, thus creating a No-Go condition. This had shown up as an intermittent problem during rehearsals prior to the launch but was not resolved and fixed. One solution proposed by my former boss is to change the procedure and leave the RF Transmitter on a little while longer during the launch window so that the alarms can be verified through RF even if the hardline telemetry goes down. Maybe they'll listen to him this time?  Cataract2, if you go, take some pix.  I'll try to Grab some screen shots from the Launch Webcast like this...  | ||
| Cataract2 |
Sorry, sparky. No photos can be taken in that area. | ||
| Sparky |
Launch Update: Mission managers are scrubbing tonight's launch to further validate the modified approach to read the satellite telemetry as mentioned above. The next launch attempt will be on Monday at 11:13 - 11:31 pm EDT. | ||
| Firstbuell |
hey Sparky, how do down there in LA? up here in NorCal, back in the 70s & 80s, I worked @ GE Nuclear alongside many former defense & Apollo contractor personnel - on one's desk was a tiny resistor, Lucite-encased, with the following words engraved: "this stopped Apollo xx launch, xx-xx-19xx" |
