SpaceX launches new GPS satellite for U.S. military

Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-23 23:44:38|Editor: Li Xia
Video PlayerClose

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX launched a new breed of GPS satellite for the United States Military on Sunday, marking the private space company's first contracted mission for the country's national security.

A Falcon 9 rocket, carrying U.S. Air Force's first Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle 01 (SV01), was launched at 8:51 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The launch was previously scheduled on Tuesday but delayed four times due to technical and weather reasons.

The GPS III satellite, to be deployed to medium Earth orbit, is designed to deliver positioning, navigation, and timing information. It is three times more accurate than the previous system and up to eight times stronger in its anti-jamming capability.

Because of mission requirements, SpaceX did not attempt to retrieve the reusable Falcon 9's first stage after launch, according to SpaceX.

The launch is a landmark for SpaceX to make a presence in the lucrative military space launch market. In April 2016, SpaceX was awarded the first National Security Space mission and it has four other GPS III missions on contract.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001376939811
国产无码在线观看免费在线,37pao国产成视频,日韩一区二区视频在线,国产国产人免费人成免费视频麻豆
日本免费精品一区二区三区最新 | 特黄特色三级在线看国产 | 中文字幕精品一区二区精品 | 在线不卡长片AV | 午夜福利久久野草 | 先锋天堂AV在线网 |