Showing posts with label BLOCK II GPS SATELLITE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BLOCK II GPS SATELLITE. Show all posts

Friday, August 31, 2012

SPACE COMMAND HISTORY: LAUNCH OF FIRST BLOCK II GPS SATELLITE

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world.  Credit:  U.S.  Air Force Space Command.

AFSPC Milestone: First Block II GPS satellite launched
8/28/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- As Air Force Space Command approaches its 30th Anniversary on 1 Sep, here is a significant milestone from the command's history...

On 14 February 1989, the first Block II GPS satellite was launched, marking the beginning of the deployment of the operational constellation. The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The constellation is designed and operated as a 24-satellite system, consisting of six orbital planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane.

GPS satellites orbit the earth every 12 hours, emitting continuous navigation signals. With the proper equipment, users can receive these signals to calculate time, location and velocity. The signals are so accurate, time can be figured to within a millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile per hour and location to within 100 feet. Receivers have been developed for use in aircraft, ships and land vehicles, as well as for hand carrying.

GPS capabilities were put to the test during the United States' involvement in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Allied troops relied heavily on GPS to navigate the featureless Arabian Desert. During operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom, GPS contributions increased significantly. During OIF, the GPS satellite constellation allowed the delivery of 5,500 GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions with pinpoint precision (to about 10 feet) and with minimal collateral damage. This was almost one-fourth of the total 29,199 bombs and missiles coalition forces released against Iraqi targets. GPS continues to fill a crucial role in air, ground and sea operations guiding countless service members and equipment to ensure they are on time and on target.

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