A Delta II rocket lifts off today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Michael R. Brown, FLORIDA TODAY
A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket carrying a GPS satellite lifted off at 8:23 a.m. EDT.
"Looking good," said the commentator as the solid rocket motors separated.
The spacecraft will separate after 68 minutes and the modernized GPS satellite will be in service within two weeks.
Launched from Complex 17A on a Delta 2 rocket with nine strap-on solid rocket boosters, the satellite, built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force, will enter an orbit 11,000 miles above the earth.
Within two weeks, the satellite will be operational, giving improved navigation signals to military and civilian GPS units, which number in the tens of millions.
The GPS IIR-17 will be the 77th consecutive Delta 2 rocket to deliver its payload. At least 25 Delta 2 rockets remain to fly during the next few years.
ULA photo of the rocket right after rollback.
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