Tag: GPS
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Soyuz 2-1b launches latest GLONASS-M satellite – despite being hit by lightning
A Russian Soyuz-2-1b rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on Monday, deploying a replacement satellite for the GLONASS navigation system with the aid of a Fregat-M upper stage. Liftoff occurred at 06:23 UTC, beginning a three-and-a-half hour journey to the spacecraft’s destination orbit that ended with a successful spacecraft separation. During launch, the Soyuz was…
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Long March-3C lofts Beidou-2G8 (GEO-8)
A new navigation satellite was successfully launched by China on Friday. The launch of Beidou-2G8 (GEO-8) took place from the LC2 Launch Complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province, using the Long March-3C/G2 (Y16) launch vehicle. Launch time was 15:48 UTC. Also designated Beidou-45, the satellite is part of the GEO component of…
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After four delays, SpaceX launches Air Force’s first next-gen GPS III satellite
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. (SpaceX via YouTube) SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket sent a next-generation GPS satellite into orbit today for the U.S. Air Force, marking a couple of firsts — as well as a “last.” It’s the first GPS III spacecraft to reach space, marking the…
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SpaceX close out 2018 with GPS III launch
SpaceX capped an impressive 21 launch year campaign with the company’s long-sought first U.S. National Security mission. Following technical and weather challenges, Falcon 9’s latest attempt to launch was successfully conducted on Sunday, with lift off occurring at 08:51 Eastern (13:51 UTC). Launch of the GPS III-SV01 spacecraft marked SpaceX’s first competitively awarded EELV, Evolved Expendable…
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Soyuz 2-1b launches Uragan-M GLONASS satellite
A Russian Soyuz-2-1b rocket launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Saturday night, deploying a replacement satellite for the GLONASS navigation system with the aid of a Fregat-M upper stage. Liftoff is due to take place at 23:17 Moscow Time (20:17 UTC), beginning a three-and-a-half hour journey to the spacecraft’s destination orbit. Russia’s GLONASS navigation system is…
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Long March 3B lofts two more satellites as the Chinese continue to up the pace
Pushing through what is set to be a record-breaking year for the Chinese, a new pair of navigation satellites were launched on Wednesday – marking the country’s 25th orbital launch of the year so far. The launch of Beidou-3M13 and Beidou-3M14 took place from the LC3 Launch Complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan…
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Long March 3B launches latest Chinese GPS satellites
A new pair of navigation satellites were launched on Friday by China, marking its 23rd orbital launch this year. The launch of Beidou-3M11 and Beidou-3M12 took place from the LC3 Launch Complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province, using a Long March-3B/Y1 (Chang Zheng-3B/Y1) launch vehicle. Launch time was 23:52 UTC and took…
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India’s PSLV-XL rocket launches IRNSS-1I
India launched a new satellite for its NavIC satellite navigation system Thursday, replacing a faulty spacecraft in orbit seven-and-a-half months after its intended replacement was lost at launch. The PSLV-XL rocket launched the IRNSS-1I from the First Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 04:04 local time (22:34 UTC on Wednesday). The Navigation…
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U.S. Air Force divides new launch contracts between SpaceX, ULA
File photo of an Atlas 5 rocket launch. Credit: United Launch Alliance SpaceX and United Launch Alliance have split up to $645 million in new contracts to deploy U.S. Air Force navigation and surveillance satellites into orbit from 2019 through 2021. A Falcon 9 rocket built and operated by SpaceX will launch the Air Force’s…
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China launches latest Beidou-3M satellite duo
A new pair of navigation satellites were successfully launched by China on Thursday, using a Long March-3B/YZ-1. The launch of the Beidou-3M pair took place at around 23:18 UTC from the LC2 Launch Complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province. It took over four hours to complete the mission. The launch was previously scheduled…