Between 2000 and 2009, there were 72 Thor-derived rockets launched, of which 70 were successful, giving a 97.2% success rate.
List of Thor and Delta launches |
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1957–1959 · 1960–1969 · 1970–1979 · 1980–1989 · 1990–1999 · 2000–2009 · 2010–2019 · 2020–2024 |
2000There were 7 Thor missiles launched in 2000. 6 of the 7 launches were successful, giving an 85.7% success rate. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
276 | February 8, 2000 21:24 | Delta II 7420-10C | CCAFS SLC-17B | Globalstar 7 | 550 kg | LEO | Globalstar | Success [1] |
Mobile Communications | ||||||||
277 | March 25, 2000 20:34 | Delta II 7326-9.5 | VAFB SLC-2W | IMAGE | 210 kg | Polar | NASA | Success [2] |
Solar Wind Monitoring | ||||||||
278 | May 11, 2000 01:48 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-150 (GPS IIR-4) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [3] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
279 | July 16, 2000 09:17 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-151 (GPS IIR-5) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [4] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
280 | August 23, 2000 11:05 | Delta III 8930 | CCAFS SLC-17B | DM-F3 | 4383 kg | GTO | US Air Force | Partial failure [5] |
Reached lower than planned orbit, final flight of Delta III, Demosat | ||||||||
281 | November 10, 2000 17:14 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-154 (GPS IIR-6) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [6] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
282 | November 21, 2000 18:24 | Delta II 7320-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | EO-1/SAC-C | 573 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [7] |
Earth Observing | ||||||||
2001There were 7 Thor missiles launched in 2001. All 7 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
283 | January 30, 2001 07:55 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-156 (GPS IIR-7) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [8] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
284 | April 7, 2001 15:02 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | Mars Odyssey | 376.3 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [9] |
Mars orbiter | ||||||||
285 | May 18, 2001 17:45 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | GeoLITE | 1800 kg | GTO | US NRO | Success [10] |
Technology Demonstrator | ||||||||
286 | June 30, 2001 19:46 | Delta II 7425-10 | CCAFS SLC-17B | WMAP | 763 kg | Sun-Earth L2 | NASA | Success [11] |
Cosmic microwave background experiments, First flight with a 10-foot (3.0 m) composite fairing. | ||||||||
287 | August 8, 2001 16:13 | Delta II 7326-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | Genesis Probe | 494 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [12] |
Solar Wind sample return | ||||||||
288 | October 18, 2001 18:51 | Delta II 7320-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | QuickBird | 951 kg | SSO | DigitalGlobe | Success [13] |
Earth Imaging | ||||||||
289 | December 7, 2001 15:07 | Delta II 7920-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | Jason-1/TIMED | 1160 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [14] |
100th Delta II launch, Earth Observation | ||||||||
2002There were 4 Thor missiles launched in 2002. All 4 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
290 | February 11, 2002 17:43 | Delta II 7920-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | Iridium IS-1 | 689 kg | LEO | Iridium Communications | Success [15] |
Mobile Communications | ||||||||
291 | May 4, 2002 09:54 | Delta II 7920-10L | VAFB SLC-2W | Aqua | 3,117 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [16] |
Earth Observation | ||||||||
292 | July 3, 2002 06:47 | Delta II 7425 | CCAFS SLC-17A | CONTOUR | 328 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [17] |
Payload later failed, Comet probe | ||||||||
293 | November 20, 2002 22:39 | Delta IV-M+ (4,2) | CCAFS SLC-37B | Eutelsat W5 | 1,400 kg | GTO | Eutelsat | Success [18] |
First Delta IV launch, Commercial communications satellite | ||||||||
2003There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 2003. All 9 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
294 | January 13, 2003 00:45 | Delta II 7320-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | ICESat, CHIPSat | 1304 kg | SSO | NASA | Success [19] |
Earth science satellite, Astronomical satellite | ||||||||
295 | January 29, 2003 18:06 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | USA-166 (GPS IIR-8) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [20] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
296 | March 11, 2003 00:59 | Delta IV-M | CCAFS SLC-37B | USA-167 (DSCS-3 A3) | Classified | GTO | US Air Force | Success [21] |
Military communications satellite, First Delta IV Medium launch, First USAF EELV mission | ||||||||
297 | March 31, 2003 22:09 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-168 (GPS IIR-9) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [22] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
298 | June 10, 2003 17:58 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | Spirit (MER-A) | 185 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [23] |
Mars rover | ||||||||
299 | July 8, 2003 03:18 | Delta II 7925H-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | Opportunity (MER-B) | 185 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [24] |
Mars rover, First Delta II Heavy launch (with GEM 46s used on the Delta III) | ||||||||
300 | August 25, 2003 05:35 | Delta II 7920H-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | Spitzer Space Telescope (SIRTF) | 851.5 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [25] |
Infra-red telescope, 300th Delta rocket mission, First Delta II Heavy launch without a third-stage motor | ||||||||
301 | August 29, 2003 23:13 | Delta IV-M | CCAFS SLC-37B | USA-170 (DSCS-3 B6) | Classified | GTO | US Air Force | Success [26] |
Military communications satellite | ||||||||
302 | December 21, 2003 08:05 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-175 (GPS IIR-10) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [27] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
2004There were 8 Thor missiles launched in 2004. 7 of the 8 launches were successful, giving an 87.5% success rate. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
303 | March 20, 2004 17:53 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | USA-177 (GPS IIR-11) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [28] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
304 | April 20, 2004 16:57 | Delta II 7920-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | Gravity Probe B | 3,100 kg | Polar Orbit | NASA | Success [29] |
Science satellite | ||||||||
305 | June 23, 2004 22:54 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | USA-178 (GPS IIR-12) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [30] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
306 | July 15, 2004 10:02 | Delta II 7920-10L | VAFB SLC-2W | Aura | 2,970 kg | SSO | NASA | Success [31] |
Atmospheric science satellite, First use of a stretched 10-foot (3.0 m)-wide fairing | ||||||||
307 | August 3, 2004 06:15 | Delta II 7925H-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | MESSENGER | 1,107.9 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [32] |
Mercury probe | ||||||||
308 | November 6, 2004 05:39 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | USA-180 (GPS IIR-13) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [33] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
309 | November 20, 2004 17:16 | Delta II 7320-10C | CCAFS SLC-17A | Swift | 843 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [34] |
Gamma-ray telescope | ||||||||
310 | December 21, 2004 21:50 | Delta IV Heavy | CCAFS SLC-37B | DemoSat [35] / 3CS-1 / 3CS-2 | >6020 kg | GSO (planned) | Partial failure [36] | |
Demonstration payload, Payloads did not reach correct orbits, First Delta IV Heavy launch | ||||||||
2005There were 3 Thor missiles launched in 2005. All 3 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
311 | January 12, 2005 18:47 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS, SLC-17B | Deep Impact | 650 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [37] |
Comet probe | ||||||||
312 | May 20, 2005 10:22 | Delta II 7320-10C | VAFB, SLC-2W | NOAA-18 | 1457 kg | SSO | NOAA | Success [38] |
Weather satellite | ||||||||
313 | September 26, 2005 03:37 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS, SLC-17A | USA-183 (GPS IIR-M-1) | 2,032 kg | MEO | U.S. Air Force | Success [39] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
2006There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 2006. All 9 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
314 | April 28, 2006 10:02 | Delta II 7420-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | CloudSat, CALIPSO | 1287 kg | SSO | NASA | Success [40] |
Two Atmospheric Satellites | ||||||||
315 | May 24, 2006 22:11 | Delta IV-M+ (4,2) | CCAFS SLC-37B | GOES-N (GOES-13) | 3,133 kg | GTO | NASA/NOAA | Success [41] |
First Delta IV launch for NASA, Weather satellite | ||||||||
316 | June 21, 2006 22:15 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | Microsatellite Technology Experiment (MiTEx) (USA 187/USA 188/USA 189) | GTO | US Air Force | Success [42] | |
Navy upper stage test, small sat launch | ||||||||
317 | June 28, 2006 03:33 | Delta IV-M+ (4,2) | VAFB SLC-6 | NROL-22 | Molniya | US NRO | Success [43] | |
First Delta IV launch from Vandenberg, Reconnaissance satellite | ||||||||
318 | September 25, 2006 18:50 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-190 (GPS IIR-M-2) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [44] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
319 | October 26, 2006 00:52 | Delta II 7925-10L | CCAFS SLC-17B | STEREO | 547 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [45] |
Two solar observatories | ||||||||
320 | November 4, 2006 13:53 | Delta IV-M | VAFB SLC-6 | DMSP F17 | Classified | SSO | DoD | Success [46] |
First Delta IV launch into a LEO/SSO, Military weather satellite | ||||||||
321 | November 17, 2006 19:12 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-192 (GPS IIR-M-3) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [47] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
322 | December 14, 2006 21:00 | Delta II 7920-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | USA-193 (NROL-21) | 2,300 kg | LEO | US NRO | Success [48] |
First launch by United Launch Alliance. Reconnaissance satellite. Payload failed shortly after deployment; would eventually be destroyed on February 20, 2008, by an ASAT. | ||||||||
2007There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 2007. All 9 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
323 | February 17, 2007 23:01 | Delta II 7925-10C | CCAFS SLC-17B | THEMIS | 77 kg | HEO | NASA | Success [49] |
Five magnetosphere observatories | ||||||||
324 | June 8, 2007 02:34 | Delta II 7420-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | COSMO-SkyMed 1 | LEO | ASI | Success [50] | |
Earth imaging/reconnaissance, Italian government | ||||||||
325 | August 4, 2007 09:26 | Delta II 7925 | CCAFS SLC-17A | Phoenix | 350 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [51] |
Mars lander | ||||||||
326 | September 18, 2007 18:35 | Delta II 7920-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | DigitalGlobe WorldView-1 | 2,500 kg | SSO | DigitalGlobe | Success [52] |
Commercial Earth imaging satellite | ||||||||
327 | September 27, 2007 11:34 | Delta II 7925H-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17B | Dawn | 747.1 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [53] |
Asteroid probe | ||||||||
328 | October 17, 2007 12:23 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-196 (GPS IIR-M-4) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [54] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
329 | November 11, 2007 01:50 | Delta IV Heavy | CCAFS SLC-37B | DSP-23 | 5,250 kg | GSO | US Air Force | Success [55] |
First Delta IV launch contracted by United Launch Alliance and first operational Delta IV Heavy launch. Launch delayed due to damage to launch pad caused by a liquid oxygen leak. [56] Missile warning satellite. Spacecraft eventually stopped transmitting in September 2008. [57] | ||||||||
330 | December 9, 2007 02:31 | Delta II 7420-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | COSMO-2 | LEO | ASI | Success [58] | |
Italian government, Earth imaging/reconnaissance | ||||||||
331 | December 20, 2007 20:04 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-199 (GPS IIR-M-5) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [59] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
2008There were 5 Thor missiles launched in 2008. All 5 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
332 | March 15, 2008 06:10 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-201 (GPS IIR-M-6) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [60] |
80th consecutive successful launch, Navigation satellite | ||||||||
333 | June 11, 2008 16:05 | Delta II 7920H-10C | CCAFS SLC-17B | GLAST | 4,303 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [61] |
First Delta II Heavy launch with a 10-foot (3.0 m)-wide composite fairing, Gamma-ray Telescope | ||||||||
334 | June 20, 2008 07:46 | Delta II 7320 | VAFB SLC-2W | Jason-2 | 510 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [62] |
Ocean topography | ||||||||
335 | September 6, 2008 18:50 | Delta II 7420-10 | VAFB SLC-2W | GeoEye-1 | 1,955 kg | LEO | DigitalGlobe | Success [63] |
Earth imaging | ||||||||
336 | October 25, 2008 02:28 | Delta II 7420 | VAFB SLC-2W | COSMO-3 | LEO | ASI | Success [64] | |
Earth imaging/reconnaissance | ||||||||
2009There were 11 Thor missiles launched in 2009. All 11 launches were successful. | ||||||||
Flight No. | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
337 | January 18, 2009 02:47 | Delta IV Heavy | CCAFS SLC-37B | USA-202 (NROL-26) | Classified | GSO | US NRO | Success [65] |
Reconnaissance satellite | ||||||||
338 | February 6, 2009 10:22 | Delta II 7320-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | NOAA-19 (NOAA-N Prime) | 1,440 kg | SSO | NOAA | Success [66] |
Weather satellite | ||||||||
339 | March 7, 2009 03:49 | Delta II 7925-10L | CCAFS SLC-17B | Kepler | 478 kg | Heliocentric | NASA | Success [67] |
Space photometer | ||||||||
340 | March 24, 2009 08:34 | Delta II 7925-9.5 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-203 (GPS IIR-M-7) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [68] |
Navigation satellite | ||||||||
341 | May 5, 2009 20:24 | Delta II 7920-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | USA-205 (STSS-ATRR/ GMD Block 2010 SRR) | Classified | LEO | MDA | Success [69] |
Satellite Technology | ||||||||
342 | June 27, 2009 22:51 | Delta IV-M+ (4,2) | CCAFS SLC-37B | GOES-O (GOES-14) | 3,133 kg | GTO | NASA/NOAA | Success [70] |
Weather satellite | ||||||||
343 | August 17, 2009 10:35 | Delta II 7925 | CCAFS SLC-17A | USA-206 (GPS IIRM-8) | 2,032 kg | MEO | US Air Force | Success [71] |
Navigation satellite, Final launch from SLC-17A, Final Delta II launch for the USAF, Final use of the 7925 configuration | ||||||||
344 | September 25, 2009 12:20 | Delta II 7920-10C | CCAFS SLC-17B | USA-208/209 (STSS Demo/ GMD Block 2006) | LEO | US Air Force | Success [72] | |
90th consecutive success for Delta II, Missile Defense Technology test | ||||||||
345 | October 8, 2009 18:51 | Delta II 7920-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | WorldView-2 | 2,800 kg | LEO | DigitalGlobe | Success [73] |
Earth imaging/reconnaissance | ||||||||
346 | December 6, 2009 01:47 | Delta IV-M+ (5,4) | CCAFS SLC-37B | USA-211 (WGS-3) | 5,987 kg | GTO | US Air Force | Success [74] |
First Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) launch, Communication satellite | ||||||||
347 | December 14, 2009 14:09 | Delta II 7320-10C | VAFB SLC-2W | WISE | 347 kg | LEO | NASA | Success [75] |
Space telescope | ||||||||
Delta II was an expendable launch system, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas, and sometimes known as the Thorad Delta 1. Delta II was part of the Delta rocket family, derived directly from the Delta 3000, and entered service in 1989. There were two main variants, the Delta 6000 and Delta 7000, with the latter also having "Light" and "Heavy" subvariants. During its career, Delta II flew several notable payloads, including 24 Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II satellites, several dozen NASA payloads, and 60 Iridium communication satellites. The rocket flew its final mission, ICESat-2, on 15 September 2018, earning the launch vehicle a streak of 100 successful missions in a row, with the last failure being GPS IIR-1 in 1997. In the late 1990s, Delta II was developed further into the unsuccessful Delta III, which was in turn developed into the more capable and successful Delta IV, though the latter shares little heritage with the original Thor and Delta rockets.
Delta IV was a group of five expendable launch systems in the Delta rocket family. It flew 45 missions from 2002 to 2024. Originally designed by Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, the Delta IV became a United Launch Alliance (ULA) product in 2006. The Delta IV was primarily a launch vehicle for United States Air Force (USAF) military payloads, but was also used to launch a number of United States government non-military payloads and a single commercial satellite.
Atlas V is an expendable launch system and the fifth major version in the Atlas launch vehicle family. It was designed by Lockheed Martin and has been operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2006. It is used for DoD, NASA, and commercial payloads. It is America's longest-serving active rocket. After 87 launches, in August 2021 ULA announced that Atlas V would be retired, and all 29 remaining launches had been sold. As of June 2024, 16 launches remain. Production ceased in 2024. Other future ULA launches will use the Vulcan Centaur rocket.
Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 is a launch pad and associated support infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Construction at the site began in 1966, but the first launch didn't occur until 1995 due to program cancellations and subsequent repurposing efforts.
United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA) is an American launch service provider formed in December 2006 as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The company designs, assembles, sells and launches rockets, but the company subcontracts out the production of rocket engines and solid rocket boosters.
Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37), previously Launch Complex 37 (LC-37), is a launch complex on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Construction began in 1959 and the site was accepted by NASA to support the Saturn I program in 1963. The complex consists of two launch pads. LC-37A has never been used, but LC-37B launched uncrewed Saturn I flights and was modified and launched Saturn IB flights, including the first (uncrewed) test of the Apollo Lunar Module in space. It was deactivated in 1972. In 2001 it was modified as the launch site for Delta IV, a launch system operated by United Launch Alliance.
The Wideband Global SATCOM system (WGS) is a high capacity United States Space Force satellite communications system planned for use in partnership by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) and the Australian Department of Defence. The system is composed of the Space Segment satellites, the Terminal Segment users and the Control Segment operators.
The Delta IV Heavy was an expendable heavy-lift launch vehicle, the largest type of the Delta IV family. It was the world's third highest-capacity launch vehicle in operation at the time of its retirement in 2024, behind NASA's Space Launch System and SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and closely followed by CASC's Long March 5. It was manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA) and was first launched in 2004. ULA retired the Delta IV Heavy in 2024. Future ULA launches will use the new Vulcan Centaur rocket. Delta IV's final flight was on 9 April 2024.
GPS satellite blocks are the various production generations of the Global Positioning System (GPS) used for satellite navigation. The first satellite in the system, Navstar 1, was launched on 22 February 1978. The GPS satellite constellation is operated by the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS) of Space Delta 8, United States Space Force.
GPS IIR-1 or GPS SVN-42 was the first Block IIR GPS satellite to be launched. It was to have been operated as part of the United States Air Force Global Positioning System. It was launched on 17 January 1997, and was destroyed 13 seconds into its flight due to a malfunction of the Delta II launch vehicle that was carrying it. It was estimated to have cost US$40 million, with its launch vehicle costing US$55 million. The satellite that was used for the GPS IIR-1 mission was the second production IIR satellite, SVN-42.
USA-206, also GPS SVN-50, PRN-05 and NAVSTAR 64 and known before launch as GPS IIR-21, GPS IIRM-8 or GPS IIR-21(M), is an American navigation satellite that forms part of the Navstar Global Positioning System. It was the twenty-first and last Block IIR GPS satellite to be launched and the eighth to use the modernized IIRM configuration.
USA-213, also known as GPS SVN-62, GPS IIF SV-1 and NAVSTAR 65, is the first satellite in the Block IIF series of Global Positioning System navigation satellites. It will be used to relay signals for the United States Air Force Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS). The satellite was launched at 03:00:00 UTC on 28 May 2010. It will be placed into plane B of the GPS constellation, and will transmit the PRN-25 signal. PRN-25 was previously broadcast by USA-79, which was retired in late 2009 after almost eighteen years of service.
GPS Block IIF, or GPS IIF is an interim class of GPS (satellite) which were used to bridge the gap between previous Navstar Global Positioning System generations until the GPS Block III satellites became operational. They were built by Boeing, operated by the United States Air Force, and launched by the United Launch Alliance (ULA) using Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV). They are the final component of the Block II GPS constellation to be launched. On 5 February 2016, the final Block IIF satellite was successfully launched, completing the series.