Nichols Martin
United Launch Alliance is in the last stage of preparations for the launch of the second satellite that will provide the U.S. military with Global Positioning System III service.
It will launch the Magellan satellite on Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on behalf of the U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, ULA said Tuesday. The Lockheed Martin-built GPS III system will work to boost navigation accuracy and anti-jam resiliency for users.
A Delta IV Medium rocket will serve as the satellite’s launch vehicle, marking the rocket’s final flight. ULA will perform succeeding launches with the newer Vulcan Centaur model.
“As we prepare to launch the final Delta IV Medium, we look forward to continuing its legacy through the purpose-built Vulcan Centaur,†said Gary Wentz, vice president of government and commercial programs at ULA.
