Sam Wormley
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 Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:48 am Post subject: IIR-20/SVN 49 with L5 Payload Scheduled for October Launch |
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IIR-20/SVN 49 with L5 Payload Scheduled for October Launch
http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=533059
Jul 31, 2008
GPS World
It now appears that the launch of the GPS satellite with an L5 demonstration payload
aboard is scheduled for October 16, according to the National Geospatial-Intelligence
Agency (NGA).
The satellite in question, GPS IIR-20, assigned the space vehicle number (SVN) 49, carries
a demonstration payload built by Lockheed Martin subcontractor ITT that will temporarily
transmit a third civil signal on the L5 frequency (1176.45 MHz). Originally slated for
launch in June of this year, the U.S. Air Force subsequently pushed that launch date back,
suggesting in late May that the date was indefinite.
The NGA, which lists publicly-available GPS satellite data on its website, now has the
launch date for IIR-20/SVN 49 listed as October 16, followed by the launch of the
IIR-21/SVN 50 – the infamous "wetsat" – scheduled for launch December 18.
The NGA is a U.S. Department of Defense combat support agency tasked with providing
geospatial intelligence in support of national security. |
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