LockMart GPS III Team Progressing In Preliminary Design Review Stage

Source： Author： Date：2009-3-12 0:00:00 Click：

Lockheed Martin is developing the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft, known as GPS III, is progressing on-schedule, achieving key milestones in the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) phase with the U.S. Air Force.

GPS III will improve position, navigation and timing services and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability.

The first block of the new generation satellites, known as GPS IIIA, will deliver significant enhancements 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.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., along with industry partners ITT, Clifton, N.J., and General Dynamics of Gilbert, Ariz., have successfully completed 19 out of 71 PDRs for key GPS III spacecraft subsystems and assemblies.

These include L-Band transmitters, antennas, solar arrays, power regulation unit, all attitude control assemblies, as well as the Tracking Telemetry and Command (TT and C) subsystem and all TT and C assemblies. This effort will culminate in an overall GPS III Segment PDR in May to ensure the preliminary design meets warfighter and civil requirements prior to advancing into the Critical Design Review phase.

The team is working under a $1.4 billion Development and Production contract awarded in May 2008 by the Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to produce the first two GPS IIIA satellites, with first launch projected for 2014. The contract also includes options for up to 10 additional spacecraft.

The GPS constellation provides critical situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military and supports 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, Colo., manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

More information:

http://www.lockheedmartin/com/news/press_releases/2009/030909_ss_gps3_progress.html