The first of eight GPS III satellites is nearing completion, promising to bring about a new age in GPS technology. The satellites promise three times the accuracy of its predecessors, among a list of features including:
- Over eight times more efficient anti-jamming capabilities for military users,
- An L1C civil signal, allowing interoperability with other international global navigation satellites,
- And an advanced design increasing operational life to 15 years, 25 percent longer than the newest Block IIF satellites.
The final integration of the GPS III Space Vehicle One’s (SV 01) system module and propulsion core brings together several major satellite components.
The system module includes the navigation payload, which performs the primary positioning, navigation and timing mission. The functional bus contains electronics that manage all satellite operations. The propulsion core allows the satellite to maneuver for operations on orbit.
Lockheed Martin and US Air Force Modernize the GPS
All 12 IIR satellites currently in orbit have surpassed their design life of 7.5 years, operating for more than 16. Three of eight GPS IIR-M satellites have surpassed their expected life span of 7.5 years, with the others to follow in 2017.
GPS III concept art. Image courtesy Lockheed Martin.
But it’s the US Air Force and other military branches that most look forward to the technological edge the new satellites should provide.
The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), operating from Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.
Lockheed Martin’s engineers and technicians still have a lot of work ahead though.
"This summer, SV 01 will begin Thermal Vacuum testing, where it will be subjected to simulated harsh space environments,” said Mark Stewart, VP of Lockheed Martin's Navigation Systems mission area. “Successful completion of this testing is critical as it will help validate our design and manufacturing processes for all follow-on GPS III satellites.”
GPS III to follow Boeing Block IIF Satellites
The GPS III isn’t the only batch of new satellites to be orbiting the Earth. In fact, it won’t even be the first.
All 12 GPS Block IIF satellites have already completed production, manufactured by Boeing.
The US Air Force has already launched nine of the satellites, with the most recent having launched March 25, 2015. The GPS IIF-9 was declared operational April 20.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to build eight satellites at its GPS III Processing Facility near Denver, a factory specifically designed for satellite production.
Until Lockheed Martin’s satellites are ready for launch, we’ll just have to sit back and speculate on what advancements will come in a world with the GPS III.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
For more information on the GPS III, visit LockheedMartin.com.
To learn more about the Block IIF, visit Boeing.com.