ILS Atlas V Gets Go-Ahead for GPS Mission in 2007.MCLEAN, Va. -- The U.S. Air Force has authorized International Launch Services International Launch Services (or ILS) was formed in 1995 as a private spaceflight partnership between the United States defense contractor Lockheed Martin (LM) (LM sold their part later) and the Russian firms Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and RSC (ILS ILS In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Israeli Shekel. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. ) to proceed with a mission to launch a Global Positioning System Global Positioning System: see navigation satellite. Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise satellite-based navigation and location system originally developed for U.S. military use. satellite in early 2007 on a Lockheed Martin (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :LMT) Atlas V vehicle. This launch, of a next-generation GPS-IIF series satellite, will take place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station The Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) is the East Coast space launch facility of the United States Department of Defense. Located on Cape Canaveral in the State of Florida, it depends on Patrick Air Force Base, home of the 45th Space Wing. CCAFS is adjacent to the John F. , Fla. The mission was assigned to ILS in the first round of awards under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program was a United States government, primarily a Department of Defense–sponsored effort to develop at least one family of space launch vehicles, that would meet the long term needs of the military and fulfill commercial (EELV) program. ILS, a Lockheed Martin Corp. joint venture, now has 16 EELV assignments. This is the seventh to be given the go-ahead for launch. The Atlas V vehicle will inject the GPS satellite directly into its operational circular orbit of 20,200 km (10,900 nm) above Earth and inclined 55 degrees to the equator. The GPS constellation consists of 24 operational satellites in six orbital planes to provide worldwide coverage. "The GPS missions enable us to demonstrate the unique flexibility of the Atlas V vehicle," said ILS president Mark Albrecht. "The GPS program has a requirement for the EELV medium launch vehicle (MLV), which is our Atlas V-401 configuration. This Atlas V vehicle delivers sufficient performance to directly inject the satellite into its operating orbit, eliminating the need for a transfer orbit." In Atlas V nomenclature, a "401" vehicle has a 4-meter payload fairing, 0 solid rocket boosters and 1 Centaur upper stage engine. Albrecht added, "The GPS satellites are a national asset for both the Defense Department and ordinary citizens, and we're proud to have a role in maintaining this important system." Lockheed Martin developed the Atlas V launcher to meet Air Force EELV requirements and for ILS commercial missions. The Atlas V vehicle has flown four times since its debut in 2002 - all successfully and all for commercial customers. The next mission is planned for March, with a satellite for commercial customer Inmarsat. The first government EELV launch of Atlas V is planned for March 2006. ILS markets and manages government and commercial missions on the Atlas rocket to customers worldwide. The company is headquartered near Washington, D.C. The Atlas rockets and their Centaur upper stages are built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Lockheed Martin Space Systems is one of the 4 major business divisions of Lockheed Martin. It is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. From a rich history of major companies Lockheed Martin has brought them together to offer design, integration, and production of: For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com. |
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