GPS Satellite Launch Successful…Finally

The Lockheed Martin [LMT]-built GPS IIR-13 satellite finally was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Nov. 6. The satellite joins the 29 other GPS satellites currently in orbit that make up the global navigation satellite constellation. The IIR-13 was the last in that series of satellites to be launched by the U.S. Air Force, as the next set of GPS satellites launched will be designated GPS IIR-M series satellites – an upgraded version of the IIR design that will incorporate two new military and a second civilian GPS signal. The first launch of the IIR-M series satellites is scheduled for May 2005.