GPS IIR-21(M) Successfully Launched from Cape Canaveral
August 17, 2009

The U.S. Air Force successfully launched the last in the series of eight modernized GPS IIR satellites carried aboard the last of the Air Force’s United Launch Alliance Delta II Rocket at 6:35 a.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
 
The GPS IIR-21(M) launch is the Space and Missile Systems Center's 62nd consecutive launch success, and the fifth for the Launch and Range Systems Wing in 2009. The satellite is the final in a line of eight GPS IIR-M spacecraft that the Lockheed Martin Navigation Systems modernized for the GPS Wing.
 
“This morning’s successful launch of GPS IIR-21(M) was the direct result of a focused Delta II and GPS team executing a textbook launch campaign,” said John Wagner, Mission Director for the launch and chief technical director for the Launch and Range Systems Wing. “Congratulations to the United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin, and our entire Air Force team on a job well done. This launch marks the fifth mission in a busy year for the Launch and Range Systems Wing, delivering critical space capabilities for our nation.”
 
GPS IIR-21(M) will join the constellation of 30 operational satellites on-orbit providing global coverage and increased overall performance of GPS service. GPS IIR-21(M) will assume plane E, slot 3 position replacing space vehicle number 40.
The Block IIR-M series includes features that enhance operations and navigation signal performance for military and civilian GPS users around the globe — specifically a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities, and a second civil signal, providing users with an open access signal on a different frequency.
The satellite is expected to be set healthy for navigation users worldwide in September.
 
Today’s launch brings to a close the relationship between the Delta II and GPS program. The Delta II has been the sole booster that has enabled the United States Air Force to construct the current operational GPS constellation. Since the first GPS launch in 1978, measures have been incorporated to ensure improved accuracy and signal availability.
“I am exceedingly pleased with today’s launch, and elated to be a part of a mission that plays a critical component of our nation’s infrastructure," said Col. Dave Madden, Commander, Global Positioning Systems Wing. "Today’s launch culminates the awesome team work and commitment of government and industry team of dedicated professionals. We achieved a major milestone in GPS history today, as we launch the last GPS IIR-M satellite and begin a new era of GPS services to modernize and sustain the GPS constellation. GPS has evolved to the status of global utility, vital to commercial users and the security of the world. The future technology for GPS lies ahead as we synchronize the development and deployment of the future GPS IIF and GPS III satellites, the Next Generation Control System, and the new M-Code User Equipment."
 
Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Newtown, Pennsylvania, is the prime contractor for the GPS IIR program. The company designed and built 21 IIR spacecraft. ITT, based in Clifton, New Jersey, supplied all 21 navigation payloads for both the IIR and IIR-M spacecraft.
GPS III. Lockheed Martin is developing the next-generation GPS III spacecraft to improve position, navigation, and timing services for users worldwide. The first block of the new generation satellites, known as GPS IIIA, will deliver significant enhancements over current GPS space vehicles, including a new international civil signal (L1C), and increased M-Code anti-jam power with full earth coverage for military users.
The Lockheed Martin-led GPS III team is progressing on schedule, with first launch of a GPS IIIA satellite on track for 2014. The program team recently completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) phase and is now in the midst of the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase.
“Lockheed Martin is incredibly proud of the success of this program and I applaud the joint team’s hard work and perseverance in reaching this major milestone,” said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Navigation Systems. “The successful launch of this final satellite in the GPS IIR program exemplifies not only our commitment to designing and building high-performance spacecraft, but also to delivering 100 percent mission success for our customer. We look forward to delivering even greater capabilities with the launch of the first GPS III satellite.”
The Air Force is the developer, operator, and steward for GPS and has expressed its commitment to maintaining GPS as the gold standard for positioning, navigation, and timing information.
 
The GPS Wing is committed to maintaining the GPS constellation and has a robust and adaptive plan to maintain the constellation in the near and long term, Madden said. Madden was the guest speaker at a GPS World Market Insights Webinar on July 30.
 
The Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the U.S. Air Force’s center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems including six wings and three groups responsible for GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control network, space-based infrared systems, intercontinental ballistic missile systems, and space situational awareness capabilities.