GPS IIR Satellite Set Healthy for Navigation Published Nov. 2, 2007 By LaTonya Lofton-Collins GPS Wing Los Angeles Air Force Base -- GPS hit another first this week when a recently launched GPS IIR-17(M), the fourth modernized GPS IIR satellite, was set healthy to navigation and timing users worldwide on Oct. 31. Built by Lockheed Martin and launched aboard a Delta II rocket Oct. 17 from Cape Canaveral, the satellite joins three operational modernized IIR satellite currently on-orbit providing real-time positioning, navigation and timing services worldwide. The GPS IIR-17(M) is the first satellite to use the new GPS Alternate Master Control System located at Vandenberg AFB. The satellite operations were expertly conducted by the 2nd Space Operations Squadron operations crews who controlled the GPS IIR-17(M) commissioning. The GPS IIR-17(M) satellite was also the first to be controlled by a new commanding system, called Launch and Early Orbit, Anomaly Resolution and Disposal Operations (LADO), operated by the 19th Space Operations Squadron (Reserve). The positioning, navigation, and timing signals provided by GPS satellites will continue to provide world-class service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to ensure GPS remains the world's premier space-based navigation system will into the 21st century.