GPS 2F satellite in El Segundo, Calif. with employees Patrice DuPass and Rebecca Taylor. Photo: Boeing

[Via Satellite 10-14-2014] The seventh Global Positioning System (GPS) 2F satellite has completed in orbit checkout and control has been transferred to the United States Air Force, according to Boeing. Both the Air Force and Boeing conducted the initial activation and system checkout following the Aug. 1 launch.

Boeing transferred control of the satellite on Aug. 8 to the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado. On Sept. 17 the satellite reached its final orbital location, providing accurate position navigation and timing information.

Boeing has been contracted to build 12 GPS 2F satellites. The next, GPS 2F-8, is slated to launch Oct. 29 aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket.