Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. (March 25, 2015) A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the ninth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 2:36 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This is ULA’s fourth launch in 2015 and the 95th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.
[SatNews] Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) Space and Defense Group played a critical role in the successful launch of the Boeing-built GPS IIF-9 satellite atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Medium + 4,2 rocket today. GPS IIF-9 is the ninth of twelve planned Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIF satellites to support the space-based, worldwide navigation system. The system provides users with highly accurate, three-dimensional position, velocity and timing information 24 hours per day in all weather conditions.
The ULA Delta IV rocket that carried GPS IIF-9 into space includes hardware on the first and second stages. On the first stage Moog provides electrohydraulic (EH) actuators for the ATK solid rocket booster (SRB) GEM60 helium blow down system. In addition, two pogo suppression valves, one on each core of the vehicle, function to suppress oscillations in the ducts carrying liquid oxygen to the rocket engines. On the second stage, a Moog Electromechanical (EM) Thrust Vector Control (TVC) System plays a key role supporting attitude control after separation of the first stage. Finally, Moog provided the Inlet Valves for the RL10 main upper stage engine and the Control Valves for the Roll Control Module (RCM) Thrusters.
The Boeing GPS IIF-9 satellite is equipped with Moog thruster valves, isolation valves and service valves that contribute to the satellite’s Attitude Control System (ACS). High reliability of the ACS is crucial to ensure correct positioning of the spacecraft for optimal information transmittal to and from the Earth.
The Air Force established GPS in 1974, with the first launch occurring in 1978; 69 GPS satellites have been launched in total. Service from the satellites is provided to nearly one billion military and civilian users around the world. Four more GPS Block IIF satellites are planned to launch over the next two years.
Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.moog.com/. Additional information about Moog’s Space Sector can be found at http://www.moog.com/markets/space/.