SpaceX launches Air Force's most powerful GPS satellite ever built
By William Harwood
/ CBS News
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket roared to life and streaked away from Cape Canaveral early Sunday carrying the first in a powerful new generation of GPS navigation satellites into orbit. It was the California rocket builder's 21st launch this year and its first Pentagon-sanctioned national security mission.
Propelled by 1.2 million pounds of thrust from its nine first stage engines, the 229-foot-tall rocket lifted off at 8:51 a.m. EST (GMT-5), climbing straight away from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It was the 20th major rocket launch from Florida this year, the busiest pace since 1998.
The launching came five days late because of a last-minute problem with first stage propellant temperatures Tuesday and stormy weather Thursday. High winds forced another 24-hour delay Saturday, but conditions were ideal Sunday and the rocket put on a spectacular show as it raced away to the northeast through a cloudless sky.
Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the newly reconstituted National Space Council, was on hand for Tuesday's initial launch try but flew back to Washington after touring SpaceX facilities at the Kennedy Space Center.
"The most important thing is that we get that rocket up safely and securely and it achieves its mission," Pence told spaceport workers. "I know this bird is going to fly and when it flies, it's going to make a difference for the security and prosperity of the American people."
Pence has taken an active role in directing the Trump administration's revised national space policy, calling for establishment of a military "Space Force," increased commercial development in low-Earth orbit and continued NASA development of a huge new rocket and spacecraft to carry astronauts back to the moon.
The early moments of the flight Sunday appeared normal and two minutes and 48 seconds after liftoff, now well out of the dense lower atmosphere, the first stage engines shut down and the booster fell away. An instant later the single engine powering the Falcon 9's second stage ignited as planned.
In a departure from what has become normal practice for SpaceX, the first stage did not attempt to fly itself back to Cape Canaveral or to an off-shore drone ship. The GPS satellite was loaded with more fuel than usual, increasing the load on the Falcon 9 and requiring more first stage performance. The rocket did not have enough propellant left over to attempt a landing.
"The first flight, we're … making sure we are taking care of the spacecraft, making sure we meet all of its requirements," said Walter Lauderdale, chief of Falcon Systems Operations Division at the Air Force Space and Missile Center. "It's precious cargo, and we want to make sure that it's up there to do its job."
Whether SpaceX attempted any entry tests with the booster as it fell back to Earth was not immediately known.
The second stage completed the first of two planned "burns," putting the vehicle in the planned preliminary orbit about eight minutes and 16 seconds after launch. A second firing was planned an hour later to complete the launch phase of the mission.
Using its on-board propulsion, the GPS 3 satellite is expected to make its way to a 12,500-mile-high orbit tilted 55 degrees to the equator, taking about 12 hours to complete one orbit.
The Air Force and prime contractor Lockheed Martin plan to spend six to nine months checking out and testing the satellite and another six to nine months testing new ground systems before the spacecraft is declared operational.
GPS satellites work by continuously transmitting ultra-precise timing signals from on-board atomic clocks along with data showing their exact position and velocity. With at least two dozen satellites operating in six orbital planes, at least four are above the horizon at any point on or above the Earth's surface.
By analyzing the slight differences between incoming signals, receivers can calculate a user's location with respect to the satellites to within about one-and-a-half feet on average and, in some cases, to within 14 inches or so. An estimated billion people around the world use satellite navigation data in some form every day.
The $529 million GPS 3 satellite is the first of 10 being built by Lockheed Martin. The company holds a second contract, valued at up to $7.2 billion, for up to 22 additional GPS 3 "Follow On" satellites providing even more accurate, more jam-proof location, timing and velocity data to all branches of the military. Lockheed Martin built 18 of the 31 satellites in the current GPS constellation.
The Air Force originally planned to launch the first GPS 3 satellite in 2014, but the program encountered a series of problems that led to multiple delays and higher costs, according to the Government Accountability Office.
A major issue has been developing the advanced software and ground systems needed to take full advantage of the GPS 3's capabilities. As it now stands, the ground control system, known as OCX, will not be fully on line until at least 2021, after the first half dozen GPS 3 navsats are in orbit.
In the interim, Lockheed Martin has upgraded the current control system to enable test and checkout of the new satellites.
The GPS 3 navsats will provide four civilian data streams for use by countless devices ranging from smart phones to automobiles, commercial aircraft and virtually all sectors of the transportation industry. Multiple data streams will enable receivers in aircraft, for example, to compensate for atmospheric effects that might otherwise reduce accuracy.
Another advantage for civilian users is interoperability with navigation systems launched by other nations.
The new satellites also feature encrypted channels using sophisticated anti-jamming technology intended to keep the satellites operational under electronic attack. Military signals will use so-called M-code processing, "a stronger and encrypted, military-specific GPS signal which can help users operate in jamming environments," according to the GAO.
The new satellites also feature a redesigned Nuclear Detonation Detection System, a search-and-rescue payload and other improvements.
"These GPS 3 satellites will introduce modernized capabilities and signals that are three times more accurate and up to eight times more powerful than previous generations," Col. Steve Whitney, director of the Air Force's Global Positioning Systems Directorate, told reporters before launch.
"They also broadcast a signal compatible with other global navigation satellite systems, allowing users around the globe the ability to receive and use the signals from multiple constellations, (improving) availability and accuracy of navigation signals worldwide."
SpaceX won an initial contract to launch the first GPS 3 satellite in 2016 after demonstrating the reliability of the Falcon 9 system and meeting Air Force certification requirements for national security space missions.
Arch-rival United Launch Alliance, builder of the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 families of rockets, did not bid on that flight, but the two companies have competed head to head for multiple contracts since then.
"This launch is a milestone for many reasons," said Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of the Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate at SMC. "For us, it marks the first competitively-awarded launch in over 10 years, the first national security space launch with SpaceX, and the first launch of a GPS 3 satellite. This really is an exciting time to be in the launch business."
First published on December 23, 2018
© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
William Harwood 
Bill Harwood has been covering the U.S. space program full-time since 1984, first as Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press International and now as a consultant for CBS News. He covered 129 space shuttle missions, every interplanetary flight since Voyager 2's flyby of Neptune and scores of commercial and military launches. Based at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Harwood is a devoted amateur astronomer and co-author of "Comm Check: The Final Flight of Shuttle Columbia."
Fruitcake: More than a hefty holiday gift
The classic festive Christmas dessert is the perfect energy food for hikers and long-distance athletes
updated 11M ago 
How Apollo 8 sent a timeless holiday greeting from the heavens
On Christmas Eve 1968, the first humans to circle the Moon sent back the first image of a beautiful, fragile Earth, home to us all
updated 20M ago 
Idaho authorities cite "evidence" in case of missing Colorado mom
The body of Kelsey Berreth has yet to be found but authorities have arrested her fiance, Patrick Frazee, on first-degree murder charges.
1H ago 
High schools, colleges reward passion for esports
A growing number of colleges in the U.S. have varsity esports programs, and some even offer scholarships to lure top players
2H ago 
Mother a driving force in seeking justice for missing son
A father goes hunting in a Florida lake and vanishes. Many thought he was eaten by alligators, but not his mother — 17 years later, stunning courtroom revelations
9H ago 
Trump tweets about Mattis, Syria withdrawal and McGurk exit
Trump criticized the media, writing "if anybody but your favorite President, Donald J. Trump" withdrew troops from Syria, "that person would be the most popular hero in America"
10H ago 
Senate adjourns until after Christmas with government partially shut down
Senators say they still don't have a deal, and Trump is staying in town for Christmas
8H ago 
"I'm not sure how this ends": Shutdown could last until January
In a message to her caucus on Saturday evening, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi warned "it is unlikely that there will be any progress to end the Trump shutdown in the next several days"
12H ago 
Some national parks remain open during shutdown, others close
Because lawmakers did not broker a deal on Saturday, the partial government shutdown will continue through Christmas
16H ago 
Pay on hold for federal law enforcement Trump vocally supports
Thousands of the federal law enforcement officers Trump praises will not receive pay until the shutdown ends — and there's no end in sight
16H ago 
How Apollo 8 sent a timeless holiday greeting from the heavens
On Christmas Eve 1968, the first humans to circle the Moon sent back the first image of a beautiful, fragile Earth, home to us all
updated 20M ago 
Hundreds killed after volcanic eruption triggers tsunami
Tsunami sweeps away hotels, hundreds of houses and a group of people attending a beach concert
2H ago 
Man dies during French "yellow vest" protest
Small demonstrations were held Saturday, but nowhere near the scale of some of the earlier protests over the past six weeks
10H ago 
"I had to run": Dozens dead in apparent "volcano tsunami"
At least 62 people were killd and 600 reported injured
9H ago 
Prominent journalist among the dead in terrorist attack
Awil Dahir Salad was a veteran reporter who worked to revive the country's media
15H ago 
Passage: Penny Marshall
"Sunday Morning' looks back at the comic actor and trailblazing film director, who died this past week at age 75
updated 5M ago 
Check out the "CBS Sunday Morning" Christmas song playlist on Spotify!
Our staff wanted to share our favorite Christmas tunes!
18H ago 
Meet the artist who put a realistic spin on superheroes
Alex Ross has been called the Norman Rockwell of comics, putting his imprint on Superman, Spiderman, Aquaman and Captain America
20H ago 
Success for composer Philip Glass didn't come quick
Some of Philip Glass' early audiences threw things like eggs and tomatoes at him
19H ago 
How to watch these favorite holiday movies
Here's how to watch Christmas specials on TV or your streaming device
Dec 21 
SpaceX launches Air Force's most powerful GPS satellite ever built
Running five days late, SpaceX launched a next-generation navigation satellite Saturday
updated 7M ago
High schools, colleges reward passion for esports
A growing number of colleges in the U.S. have varsity esports programs, and some even offer scholarships to lure top players
2H ago 
Why some parents are banning "smart toys" this Christmas
Parents are realizing that it's not just Santa who's keeping tabs on their kids
21H ago 
Astronaut remembers Apollo 8 mission: "How did we ever do that?"
Fifty years ago, a Saturn V rocket roared off a launch pad carrying humans for the first time on a journey to the moon
Dec 21 
Welcome to winter solstice, the shortest day of 2018
The solstice gets an entire day of recognition, but it actually happens in an instant
Dec 21 
Blood pressure medication recalled after cancer-causing chemical found
FDA announces that Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited is voluntarily recalling two lots of Losartan potassium tablets
updated 56M ago 
University Of Maryland confirms 40 adenovirus cases
One student at the university has been hospitalized with the illness
20H ago 
164,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products recalled
"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them"
Dec 22 
Stem cell shots tied to bacterial infections
At least 12 patients in three states became infected after getting injections for problems like joint and back pain, the CDC reports
Dec 21 
What Ruth Bader Ginsburg's lung surgery means
The Supreme Court Justice underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung
Dec 22 
420K employees will go without pay during government shuts down
Even a partial closure would force a huge number of federal workers to stay on the clock without earning a dime
Dec 22 
The tax law is 1 year old — here are the winners and losers
President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly a year ago — so has it lived up to its billing?
Dec 21 
Salvation Army's "Red Kettle" donations lag in digital age
Money raised in the iconic charity campaign is falling as foot traffic wanes at stores and people forgo cash
Dec 21 
Ford recalls nearly 900,000 F-150 pickups after fires
Automaker says engine block heater cables need to be replaced in vehicles sold in U.S. and Canada
Dec 21 
Juul workers get $2B bonus from tobacco giant investment
Electronic cigarette startup opts to rewards its 1,500 workers after Altria purchases a 35 percent stake
Dec 21 
Idaho authorities cite "evidence" in case of missing Colorado mom
The body of Kelsey Berreth has yet to be found but authorities have arrested her fiance, Patrick Frazee, on first-degree murder charges.
1H ago
Mother a driving force in seeking justice for missing son
A father goes hunting in a Florida lake and vanishes. Many thought he was eaten by alligators, but not his mother — 17 years later, stunning courtroom revelations
9H ago 
"El Chapo" reduced to tears as daughters wave to their father
The Brooklyn trial of accused Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman wrapped up its sixth week Thursday
Dec 21 
Unsealed documents reveal new details about Mollie Tibbetts investigation
Four men were the subject of police interest at times during the five-week search for the Iowa student, the AP reports
Dec 20 
Deputy kills family, confesses over radio before turning gun on himself
The Florida school officer killed three relatives including his granddaughter, 6, before killing himself, sheriff says
Dec 19
