Editorial Standards

Latest News Today maintains rigorous editorial standards. Our team verifies information from trusted sources and provides context to help readers understand complex stories.

Last Updated: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 07:44 PM
Category: Id

Editor's Note

Latest News Today provides comprehensive coverage and analysis of breaking news stories. This article is part of our ongoing coverage of wbna4570560, bringing you verified information from trusted sources with added context and expert perspective.

Why This Matters: Understanding the full context of this story helps readers make informed decisions and stay updated on developments that impact our community.

Air Force launches GPS satellite

The launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket adds a 28th satellite to the Global Positioning System constellation in orbit.
A Boeing Delta 2 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral on Saturday, sending a Global Positioning Satellite into orbit.
A Boeing Delta 2 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral on Saturday, sending a Global Positioning Satellite into orbit.BOEING / AP

A rocket roared from its seaside launch pad Saturday, carrying into space a $45 million Air Force Global Positioning System satellite.

The satellite will join a constellation of 27 other satellites already in orbit about 11,000 nautical miles above the earth, Air Force officials said. It will replace an aging satellite.

The satellite was carried into space by a Boeing Delta 2 rocket.

The satellite system provides signals to military personnel and civilians with GPS receivers, allowing them to determine their position and velocity with great accuracy.

The new satellite, to begin service in mid-April, has a life expectancy of 10 years.

The system is indispensable to military personnel, who use it not only for navigation, but also to broadcast their positions to allied forces in Iraq and other war zones to avoid friendly fire, Air Force Space Command Lt. Col. Michael Mason said.