Boeing has completed the on-orbit checkout and validation of a GPS satellite for the U.S. Air Force, marking the halfway point in the company’s deliveries of the GPS IIF satellites to the Air Force.
This event comes nearly a month after GPS IIF satellite number six launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and the company is preparing the program’s seventh launch during the third quarter of this year, the company said Wednesday.
Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems, said the company has built twelve GPS IIF satellites to date.
“We’re continuing to work with the Air Force to improve the efficiency of our final checkouts before launch and on-orbit, ensuring each GPS IIF enters operation smoothly and quickly,” Cooning said.
The launch of GPS IIF satellite number six was the second liftoff in three months.