United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket carrying a military-navigation satellite

The U.S. Air Force is prepared to move forward with the July 16 launch of a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket carrying a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite into a nearly 11,000-mile circular orbit. The Delta II is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, during a 26-minute launch window that opens at 5:17 a.m. EDT. The satellite carried aboard the Delta II will be placed into the B Plane of the GPS constellation. Separation of the satellite from the Delta II third stage will occur 25 minutes after liftoff. The flight azimuth is 110 degrees. The transfer orbit parameters are a 10,998 nautical mile apogee altitude and 101 nautical mile perigee altitude with an inclination of 39 degrees. The Delta II 7925 rocket has nine solid rocket motors attached to the first stage. The 125-foot-high rocket also has a second and a third stage as well as a 9.5-foot-diameter cone-shaped fairing that encloses the satellite. Boeing has been involved in the Air Force's GPS program since 1974, when the company won contracts to build developmental satellites and receiver sets. Boeing is currently working on design, development, and production of the third generation of GPS satellites. To date, every GPS satellite placed into orbit has been launched aboard a Delta II rocket. The company currently has an additional 16 launches manifested for the global navigation system. Recognized as the world's leading satellite navigation system, GPS operates via a constellation of 27 satellites, a ground control system, and thousands of terminals, to help locate and guide military and civilian users in the air, at sea, on the ground, and in space. Ecliptic provides systems for accessing and experiencing space and other extreme environments. We are a space-technology firm that produces the world's leading brand of onboard video and imaging systems for use with rockets, spacecraft and other remote platforms: RocketCam™. We also provide one of the most cost-effective systems for getting small payloads into space: RocketPod™.

The U.S. Air Force is prepared to move forward with the July 16 launch of a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket carrying a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite into a nearly 11,000-mile circular orbit. The Delta II is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, during a 26-minute launch window that opens at 5:17 a.m. EDT. The satellite carried aboard the Delta II will be placed into the B Plane of the GPS constellation. Separation of the satellite from the Delta II third stage will occur 25 minutes after liftoff. The flight azimuth is 110 degrees. The transfer orbit parameters are a 10,998 nautical mile apogee altitude and 101 nautical mile perigee altitude with an inclination of 39 degrees. The Delta II 7925 rocket has nine solid rocket motors attached to the first stage. The 125-foot-high rocket also has a second and a third stage as well as a 9.5-foot-diameter cone-shaped fairing that encloses the satellite. Boeing has been involved in the Air Force's GPS program since 1974, when the company won contracts to build developmental satellites and receiver sets. Boeing is currently working on design, development, and production of the third generation of GPS satellites. To date, every GPS satellite placed into orbit has been launched aboard a Delta II rocket. The company currently has an additional 16 launches manifested for the global navigation system. Recognized as the world's leading satellite navigation system, GPS operates via a constellation of 27 satellites, a ground control system, and thousands of terminals, to help locate and guide military and civilian users in the air, at sea, on the ground, and in space. Ecliptic provides systems for accessing and experiencing space and other extreme environments. We are a space-technology firm that produces the world's leading brand of onboard video and imaging systems for use with rockets, spacecraft and other remote platforms: RocketCam™. We also provide one of the most cost-effective systems for getting small payloads into space: RocketPod™.

United Launch Alliance successfully launched a Delta II expendable launch vehicle today from Space Launch Complex 17-A,Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, at 3:04 p.m., EST carrying the Air Force's GPS IIR-18(M) satellite. Designed to operate for 10 years, GPS satellites orbit the Earth every 12 hours, emitting continuous navigation signals. With the proper equipment, users can receive these signals to calculate time, location and velocity. In addition to its military use, GPS satellites provide directional assistance to civilian users around the world.

A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral A.F.S. in Florida today carrying the 58th Global Positioning System satellite into orbit for the U.S. Air Force. Launch ocurred on time at 2:10 a.m. EDT.

(this video taken by Thomas) United Launch Alliance successfully launched the first operational Delta IV Heavy expendable launch vehicle for the U.S. Air Force from Space Launch Complex-37 Nov. 10, 8:50 p.m., EST, carrying the service's Defense Support Program-23 satellite.

(video taken by me) United Launch Alliance successfully launched the first operational Delta IV Heavy expendable launch vehicle for the U.S. Air Force from Space Launch Complex-37 Nov. 10, 8:50 p.m., EST, carrying the service's Defense Support Program-23 satellite

VISIT: WWW.SPACEARIUM.COM - A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket was rolled out to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral A.F.S. in Florida in preparation for launch April 14 to loft the ICO Global Communications G1 communications satellite. For more information, visit The Spacearium

VISIT: WWW.SPACEARIUM.COM - A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket successfully launched the ICO G1 satellite from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral, FL on April 14, 2008. this afternoon. Launch occurred on-time at 4:12 p.m. EDT. For more information on yesterday's launch, visit The Spacearium, spacearium.com.

"...We've just had an anomaly..." Unmanned rocket explodes after liftoff Residents stay inside awhile to avoid smoke January 17, 1997 CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (CNN) -- An unmanned Delta II rocket carrying a $40 million U.S. Air Force navigational satellite blew up 13 seconds after liftoff Friday morning, Air Force officials said. No injuries were reported. The rocket was to launch a "new generation of satellites for the U.S. Air Force." However, Air Force officials say the rocket self-destructed about 11 a.m. EST after "an anomaly" occurred about 10 seconds into the flight. When the $55 million Delta rocket exploded, an Air Force officer announced over a loudspeaker: "Take cover immediately from falling debris. I'll say again: Take cover immediately from falling debris." The rocket was carrying the first in a new generation of Global Positioning System satellites that can enable people to pinpoint time to within a millionth of a second, speed to a fraction of a mile per hour and location to within a few feet. People warned to stay indoors Sheriff's deputies warned nearby residents to stay indoors until early afternoon with their windows closed and air conditioning systems shut off as a precaution against smoke from the explosion. The Air Force said the smoke wasn't toxic, but an official at the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center said vapors could be irritating to humans and pets. Residents said the blast could be felt as far away as 25 miles. There were reports that store windows 10 miles away were broken by the explosion. The Air Force said parts of the rocket fell into a cleared safety area in the Atlantic Ocean; other fragments fell onto Air Force property, causing a small brush fire. Air Force officials said the satellite system was a significant improvement over previous designs that required a specific launch window for each orbital position. The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. This was the first time a Delta rocket has blown up in more than a decade. The rocket is made by McDonnell Douglas Corp.

visit: www.spacearium.com - A united Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket lifts off with the GPS 2R-19 satellite from Launch Complex 17-A at Cape Canaveral on March 15. I shot this video from Press Site #1 at the Cape. For more information on the launch, go to www.spacearium.com, Spacearium News.