Final Air Force Launch For Delta II, But Rocket Still Viable

The 48th successful and final Air Force Delta II Global Positioning System satellite launch occurred Monday, ending one of the most successful space launch programs in American history. A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket launched GPS IIR-21(M) into orbit from Space Launch Complex-17A at 0635  EDT. The first Air Force Delta II GPS launch occurred Feb. 14, 1989 and this launch marked the 48th successful GPS mission giving the program a 98 percent success rate. The first launch in 1989 was NAVSTAR II-1. NAVSTAR is now commonly known as GPS.

Following a nominal 1 hour and 8 minute flight, the rocket deployed the GPS IIR-21(M) spacecraft, the eighth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block II R-M military navigation satellite.

"Congratulations to the Air Force and our mission partners in deploying this revolutionary space system that has changed the world for the better in the past 20 years," said Jim Sponnick, vice president, Delta Product Line. "One third of the 143 successful Delta II launches were GPS satellites. The ULA Delta team is extremely proud to have launched this incredible constellation. During the past two decades, the system has changed how people live their lives on a daily basis. GPS has greatly improved military operations as well as numerous maritime, aircraft, civilian and business operations worldwide."

While this launch concludes the Air Force use of Delta II as it transitions its systems to Atlas V and Delta IV, the Delta II will still keep launching into the future for NASA and commercial customers.

Delta II Launch File Photo

"We have the STSS Demo launch set for September, the WorldView-2 launch scheduled for October, and several more scheduled beyond those missions," Sponnick said. "The Delta II workhorse will remain the medium class launch vehicle industry standard for years to come."

ULA's next launch is the Department of Defense PAN mission scheduled aboard an Atlas V from SLC-41 here. A specific launch date in September has not been established.

FMI: www.ulalaunch.com