Lockheed Martin GPS-Built Satellite Gets 10th Year Anniversary On Orbit Operation

The November 2009 ( Yes, this month) will reminded us as the 10th year anniversary of Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellites’ on orbit operation, which was become the third of GPS Block IIR specific satellite that launched in October 7th 1999. The third Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-3) satellite is designed to provide significantly improved navigation capabilities for military and civilian users worldwide, including air traffic control, ATM banking, and the Internet. The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation GPS spacecraft, known as GPS III, being built by a Lockheed Martin-led team that includes industry partners ITT of Clifton, N.J. and General Dynamics of Gilbert, Ariz., is proceeding on-schedule in the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the program.

GPS III will improve position, navigation and timing services and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability. The next generation GPS IIIA satellites will deliver significant improvements over current GPS space vehicles, including a new international civil signal (L1C) and increased M-Code anti-jam power with full earth coverage for military users.

The team is in the process of executing 70 individual CDRs for all GPS III Space Vehicle subsystems, assemblies and elements. The review phase will culminate in the third quarter of 2010 with a final Space Vehicle CDR that will validate the detailed GPS III design to ensure it meets warfighter and civil requirements. The team is on track to launch the first GPS IIIA satellite in 2014.

[ Via spacefellowship ]