Boeing Delta II Lifts Air Force Satellites into Action
A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket successfully deployed two satellites today for the U.S. Air Force.
GPS IIR-8, a satellite for the Air Force Global Positioning System, and XSS-10, a demonstration satellite for the Air Force Research Laboratory, were launched aboard a Delta II 7925-9.5 vehicle.
The rocket lifted off at 1:06 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The mission was completed in just over an hour.
Since its first military use in Operation Desert Storm, GPS has increased its use for warfighters. The system is operated by the U.S. Air Force Space Command.
"We are proud to continue our support of the GPS program and the expanded role it has taken in supporting our national security," said Jay Witzling, vice president and Delta deputy program manager. "We also look forward to hearing about the progress in satellite technology with the demonstration of XSS-10."
The next Delta launch is the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III A3 mission in February aboard a Delta IV Medium vehicle from the Cape. It is the first mission for the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
XSS-10 is a demonstration spacecraft that will test various functions of the micro-satellite as well as conduct a visual inspection of the Delta II second stage. The Air Force Research Laboratory will use the data for future satellite development.
Boeing Launch Services Inc., based in Huntington Beach, Calif., is the sales, marketing and contracting organization that supports commercial procurement of the Boeing Delta and Sea Launch rocket families. BLS also supports business development and contracting of Delta launch vehicle sales to the U.S. government.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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