[Satellite TODAY 08-24-11] The second of Boeing’s 12 GPS 2F satellites has achieved operational acceptance and entered service for the U.S. Air Force, the satellite manufacturer announced Aug. 22.

            GPS 2F-2, which was launched July 16 and renamed SVN-63, completed in-orbit testing to join the active 31-satellite GPS constellation operated by the Air Force 50th Space Wing and the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.

            “SVN-63 immediately entered verification testing using the Boeing-developed Operational Control Segment (OCS) system and government GPS ground assets and receivers … On-orbit testing for the SVN-63 spacecraft took less time than for the first 2F satellite (SVN-62) because the testing on SVN-62 included a set of one-time, system-level design validation tests that involved the space vehicle, the OCS and user equipment,” Boeing said in a company statement.

            Boeing is responsible for the GPS ground and space segments under its Air Force contract to provide an integrated system solution for GPS 2F and for the operation of the entire constellation. Boeing has delivered a total of 40 spacecraft under the program. GPS 2F will form the core of the GPS constellation during the next 10 years.