TAMPA: A SpaceX rocket on Sunday blasted off a powerful GPS satellite for the US Air Force, marking its 21st and final launch for the year 2018.
"Three, two, one, zero. Ignition and liftoff," said a SpaceX mission control operator as the white Falcon 9 rocket took off under sunny, blue skies at 8:51 am (1351 GMT) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The launch sent the Global Positioning System III space vehicle (SV) satellite into space to join the Air Force´s constellation of 31 operational GPS satellites.
It promises "three times better accuracy," and an extended, 15-year operational life, said a SpaceX statement.
Billions of people worldwide depend on GPS to support financial, transportation, and agricultural infrastructure.
SpaceX said the rocket was a "rare, expendable" version of the Falcon 9 since it would not attempt to re-land the booster after launch, needing to reserve all the rocket fuel to propel the satellite to its distant orbit.
Johnson focuses on what he says are dangers of opposition Labour Party winning power
The impact of immunity ruling is a loud and clear signal for Justice in the US, says Trump
Bicycle will not be useful for daily use in cities but it is still rideable, as per Guinness World Records
Exoplanets dance around bright orange star HD 110067; have sizes between Earth, Neptune
Deadly rush comes as worst such tragedy in more than a decade
Lok Sabha opposition leader slams PM Narendra Modi-led BJP for spreading hatred, fear and violence
