Scott Powers
An Air Force GPS satellite is scheduled to blast into space Friday morning from Cape Canaveral atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
The mission, to carry the Air Force GPS IIF-12 satellite into orbit, is set for at 8:38 a.m. blast off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. ULA has a 19-minute launch window to work with if there are any minor delays.
The satellite will be part of a 24-satellite constellation orbiting about 12,000 miles above the Earth. (This actually will be the 31st satellite in place; the Air Force maintains extras to assure continuous coverage.)
It will provide both military and civilian GPS positioning, navigation and timing service to civil and military users worldwide.
