GPS III Already In Development
The last in a series of eight modernized Global Positioning
System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellites built by Lockheed Martin
for the U.S. Air Force is set to launch aboard a Delta II rocket on
Aug. 17 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.
The spacecraft, designated GPS IIR-21(M), completes the IIR and
IIR-M series of satellites the company designed and built for the
Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center,
Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA. Modernized spacecraft deliver
increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military
signals to improve accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming
capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will
provide users with an open access signal on a different
frequency.
"The team has once again completed a smooth and efficient launch
readiness review and we are ready for flight," said Col. Dave
Madden, the U.S. Air Force GPS Wing Commander. "Through effective
collaboration and a joint commitment to successful execution, the
GPS IIR program has significantly improved our nation's position,
navigation and timing capabilities, and we look forward to
enhancing the GPS constellation with this last IIR-M
satellite."
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Newtown, PA, and its navigation
and payload provider ITT of Clifton, NJ. designed and built 21 IIR
satellites and subsequently modernized eight of those
spacecraft.
"Since the first successful launch in 1997, GPS IIR spacecraft
have demonstrated unmatched capability, achieving exceptional
on-orbit performance for military and civil users around the
globe," said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin's vice president of
Navigation Systems. "We are extremely proud of our partnership with
the Air Force on this important program and look forward to
providing increased GPS accuracy and reliability with the launch of
the final GPS IIR-M satellite."
GPS provides essential services including situational awareness
and precision weapon guidance for the military. It is also an
information resource supporting a wide range of civil, scientific
and commercial functions -- from air traffic control to the
Internet -- with precision location and timing information. Air
Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based
at Schriever Air Force Base, CO, manages and operates the GPS
constellation for both civil and military users.
Building upon a legacy of providing progressively advanced GPS
spacecraft, Lockheed Martin along with ITT Corporation and General
Dynamics are developing the next generation of global positioning
satellites, designated GPS III (below). This program will improve
position, navigation and timing services for the warfighter and
civil users worldwide.
The team is progressing on-schedule in the Critical Design
Review (CDR) phase of the program and is on track to launch the
first GPS IIIA satellite in 2014.