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New Satellite

Criminal

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Criminal

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Can't search so I hope this isn't a repeat:

 

Story here.

 

SUNNYVALE, Calif., , December 19, 2005 -- A joint U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team announced today that the first modernized Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite has been declared fully operational for GPS users around the globe following extensive on-orbit testing of the spacecraft's new military and civilian signals.

 

Launched on Sept. 25 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. the GPS IIR-14 (M) satellite is the most technologically advanced GPS satellite ever developed. The spacecraft features a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved 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.

 

"With this launch, we're truly launching a new era of GPS services for our military and civil users around the globe," according to Col Allan Ballenger, System Program Director for the Navstar GPS program at Los Angeles Air Force Base. "This modernized satellite will broadcast the first new GPS signals since the GPS constellation became fully operational over a decade ago."

 

The satellite was declared operational on Dec. 16 by Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., which manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

 

"As 2 SOPS celebrates its 20th year of operating the GPS constellation, it's fitting that we embark upon the next generation of GPS satellites,” said Lt. Col. Steve Hamilton, 2 SOPS commander. “Our operations team is thrilled to be part of this monumental achievement."

 

The GPS IIR team is now gearing up for the launch of the second modernized IIR satellite scheduled for liftoff in early 2006 from Cape Canaveral. Lockheed Martin is under contract to modernize eight IIR satellites for its customer, the Navstar GPS Joint Program Office, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

 

“The entire GPS team should be very proud of this significant milestone in the GPS program,” said Leonard F. Kwiatkowski, vice president and general manager of Military Space Programs at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

 

“We are extremely pleased with the on-orbit performance of the first modernized satellite and look forward to providing a major improvement in navigation capability for both military and civilian users of the worldwide system," added Kwiatkowski.

 

The modernized navigation payloads are being built by ITT in Clifton, N.J. The satellite upgrades along with final assembly, integration and test is being performed at Lockheed Martin facilities in Valley Forge, Pa.

 

“We are proud to be a part of the team modernizing this global asset,” said Dick Arra, vice president and director, navigation, ITT Space Systems Division. “Built on 25 years of GPS payload development, the IIR payloads are designed to meet the rigors of space and operate in a radiation contaminated environment while providing precise three dimensional position, time and velocity information on a 24-hour worldwide basis.”

 

The Global Positioning System enables properly equipped users to determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters.

 

 

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

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Criminal

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Related story.

 

GPS NEWS

 

Lockheed Martin Delivers Second Modernized GPS Satellite To Cape Canaveral For January Launch

 

Lockheed Martin Global Positioning Satellite IIRM

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station FL (SPX) Nov 08, 2005

Lockheed Martin has delivered the second modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR) satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be readied for a January launch.

The company is in the midst of modernizing a total of eight GPS satellites, designated GPS IIR-M, which will provide significantly improved navigation performance for U.S. military and civilian users worldwide.

 

The new satellites offer a variety of enhanced features for GPS users, such as a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved 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 first modernized GPS-IIR satellite, launched successfully on Sept. 25 from Cape Canaveral, is performing nominally following a series of precision maneuvers and deployment of all spacecraft systems. The team completed on-orbit operations ahead of the planned schedule and turned the spacecraft over to Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS) in less than five days, a new record of any GPS satellite.

 

"The 2nd Space Operations Squadron is excited about the next generation of GPS satellites brought into the constellation," said Lt Col Steve Hamilton, Commander of the 2SOPS. "This was a total team effort by Lockheed Martin as well as other contractors, civil service and the Air Force working together to put these new capabilities on orbit. We're looking forward to a great check out and setting this satellite operational."

 

The spacecraft is expected to be declared fully operational for military and civilian navigation users around the globe in January 2006 following a special, four-month on-orbit test period for the new military and civilian signals.

 

"The highly successful launch and rapid on-orbit turnover of the first modernized GPS IIR is the result of a team of dedicated, talented individuals focused on delivering the best quality navigation capabilities to the user," said Dave Podlesney, GPS IIR program director, Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Valley Forge, Pa.

 

"These are the most technologically advanced GPS spacecraft ever built and we look forward to achieving mission success as we prepare to launch another modernized satellite next year."

 

The Global Positioning System enables properly equipped users to determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters. Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron, based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

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Hugh Jazz

Hugh Jazz

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This explains why I've suddenly and consistently been experiencing 8ft error on my 60cs. I've also in the last two weeks had incredible luck actually spotting the containers in the field, something I've never been good at, and which effect I believe is due to the increased power from this new satellite beaming the locational information directly into my brain, since I have lost my tinfoil hat during thanksgiving meal when it was badly needed to cover the turkey in the oven to keep it from getting too brown.

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ParrotRobAndCeCe

+ParrotRobAndCeCe

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Wow, ParrotRob, you must be a very important person. Since it is YOUR company, why don't you put another half dozen of those things up today. <_<

 

Seriously, good job. Keep up the good work! :)

 

(I seem to remember having their name on my resume once, as well.) :)

I think just about everyone in the technology world works, has worked, or will work for Lockheed Martin at some point in their career. :)

 

Lockheed Martin: If you don't work for us, we'll buy your company so you do.

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Hugh Jazz

Hugh Jazz

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I've queried the contact at LMCO about the availability of the new satellite for civilian use, and he referred me to this page to answer questions about GPS operation and the new satellites:

 

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/

 

But that page is so jam packed with information that I can't immediately find the answer. Anyone interested want to join in the search, jump right in. Maybe with several sets of eyes we'll find it.

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EraSeek

+EraSeek

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What's the bottom line here. Will current gpsr's see this new bird??? :(

Yes, but you will need new and improved GPS to take advantage of the new duel frequency function, as I understand it.

 

This duel frequency works somewhat like WAAS in results, but it compares the 2 frequencies to obtain the increased accuracy.

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