GPS IIF-6 Launch Delayed until Friday Night

Update: The launch of the GPS IIF-6 satellite has been delayed one day due to bad weather.

Another GPS IIF satellite is expected to lift off aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral at 8:08 p.m. EDT May 15 at the opening of an 18-minute launch window.

The satellite, designated GPS IIF-6 and built by Boeing, is one of the next-generation GPS satellites, incorporating  improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased signals, and enhanced performance for users. According to Boeing, each GPS IIF satellite has:

• greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology.
• a new civilian L5 signal to aid commercial aviation and search and rescue operations.
• improved military signal and variable power for better resistance to jamming in hostile environments.
• a 12-year design life providing long-term service and reduced operating costs.
• an on-orbit, reprogrammable processor that can receive software uploads for improved system operation.

GPS IIF-6 will be the United Launch Alliance’s fifth launch of 2014 and 82nd overall. It also will mark the 26th flight of the Delta IV launch vehicle since its inaugural flight in November 2002.

ULA will provide a live webcast of the launch, beginning at 7:48 p.m. EDT. Also, those interested can hear updates to the launch countdown via phone, by dialing the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321, or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch and twitter.com/ulalaunch, hashtag #GPSIIF6.