Latest Global Positioning System satellite goes live

The newest Global Positioning System replenishment satellite went into operation Tuesday night, five weeks after ascending to space from Cape Canaveral atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket. The GPS 2F-11 navigation spacecraft was launched Oct. 31 into a circular orbit 11,000 nautical mile high and tilted 55 degrees to the equator. GPS 2F-11 has assumed Plane E, Slot 2 of the network. The new bird took the place of GPS 2R-10 satellite, launched in 2003. The Lockheed Martin-built satellite has outlived its 7.5-year design life and will shift to an alternate role within the constellation for its remaining years. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Dec 10)