[Satellite TODAY Insider 07-18-11] The second of the U.S. Air Force’s 12 GPS 2F satellites have successfully completed pre-launch testing and are ready for liftoff onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Boeing, the satellite’s manufacturer announced July 15.

    Boeing built and tested the GPS 2F-2 spacecraft at its satellite development center in El Segundo, Calif. The company said the pre-launch tests validated the satellite’s operational readiness, including its ability to communicate with the ground control segment and launch site.

   “Nearly every piece of military equipment uses GPS precision timing and navigation capabilities to perform its missions more safely and effectively. Because of the GPS 2F satellites and stewardship of the entire GPS constellation, performance will be improved, resulting in continuing mission success,” Air Force GPS Director Col. Bernard Gruber said in a statement.

   GPS 2F-2 will be controlled for the launch by a Boeing-built Operational Control Segment, which gained full operational acceptance with the Air Force in April. When operational, GPS 2F-2 will join SVN-62 (formerly GPS 2F-1), which entered service with the Air Force in August 2010.

   Separately, SES announced that its new SES-3 satellite is ready for its scheduled July 15 launch from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome on board an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket.

   The SES-3 satellite, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., will replace SES’ existing AMC-1 satellite at the orbital position of 103 degrees West, carrying 24 C-Band transponders and 24 Ku-Band transponders. SES-3 satellite is the third of the company’s multi-satellite procurement agreement with Orbital Sciences, intended to replace existing spacecraft over the Americas. SES-3 will host media services for companies delivering educational, international and high definition video channels throughout the United States. The satellite also will feature mobile communications, private networks and thousands of VSAT terminals for the enterprise sector. 

Watch the ILS Proton Launch of SES-3 Live, Friday July 15, by clicking here!