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WATCH LIVE: Atlas V Rocket Lift Off At 11:23 p.m.

By  //  August 1, 2014

LIFT OFF SET FOR 11:23 P.M. FROM COMPLEX 41

ABOVE LIVESTREAM: Watch live the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launch Friday at 11:23 p.m.. from Space Launch Complex 41.

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is scheduled to launch a GPS satellite into orbit on Friday at 11:23 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 41.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is scheduled to launch a GPS satellite into orbit on Friday at 11:23 am from Space Launch Complex 41. (ULA image)
An Atlas V four-meter diameter payload fairing wit the GPS IIF-7 encapsulated inside is mated to the Atlas V booster at the Vertical Integration Facility at LC-17. (ULA image)

The launch, which is ULA’s ninth this year, has an 18-minute window.

“The ULA team is proud to be the launch provider for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Global Positioning System (GPS) Directorate by delivering re­plenishment satellites aboard Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA Vice President of Atlas and Delta Programs.

“GPS IIF-7 is one of the next generation GPS satellites, incorporating various improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased signals, and en­hanced performance for users.”

The spacecraft is one of a “constellation of satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users worldwide.” There are currently 24 operational GPS satellites.

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The Atlas V rocket consists of a booster fueled with highly purified kerosene and liquid oxygen and a Centaur upper stage that uses liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen to propel the spacecraft into a semi-synchronous circular orbit.

If successful, the GPS satellite will reach orbit after a flight of about 3 1/2 minutes.

This is the 47th launch of an Atlas V rocket.