 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
First Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellite Marks 10 Years In Service
King Of Prussia PA (SPX) Jul 25, 2007 The first U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR) satellite, built by a team led by Lockheed Martin, has surpassed its 10-year design life of on-orbit service, providing the U.S. military and civil users world-wide with highly accurate navigation capabilities since 1997. Launched from Cape Canaveral on July 23, 1997, the first GPS IIR satellite is one of 30 operational GPS satellites currently on orbit. Based on the navigation user range error, which measures GPS accuracy, the Block IIR satellites enable properly equipped users to determine precise time and velocity, and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within one meter. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Valley Forge, Pa., is the prime contractor for the GPS IIR program. The company designed and built 21 IIR spacecraft for the Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The final eight spacecraft, designated Block IIR-M, were modernized to enhance operations and navigation signal performance for military and civilian GPS users around the globe. ITT, Clifton, N.J. supplied all 21 navigation payloads for both the IIR and IIR-M spacecraft. "The improved performance of the GPS constellation is due in large part to the success of the Block IIR and IIR-M spacecraft series and a joint industry-government team dedicated to operational excellence and mission success," said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Navigation Systems. "We are proud to provide our customer with high-quality, high-value satellites that will continue to provide GPS users around the globe with enhanced navigation service for many years to come." The GPS constellation provides critical situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military. The worldwide system also supports a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions - from air traffic control to the Internet - with precision location and timing information. The current fleet of Block IIR and IIR-M satellites within the overall GPS constellation has reached over 67 cumulative operational years on orbit. The company is leveraging its proven record of building advanced global positioning system satellites for the next-generation system, known as GPS III. The Lockheed-led GPS III Space Segment team, which includes ITT and General Dynamics, is currently working under a Phase A Concept Development contract, with the Air Force expected to award a multi-billion dollar development contract to a single contractor in late 2007. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Lockheed Martin GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers
GPS-Trusting German Trucker Gets Tangled With Swiss Tree
Geneva (AFP) Jul 24, 2007Swiss council workers had to chop down part of a tree to clear a German truck which got stuck in a narrow dead end because of its driver's blind faith in his onboard navigation system, police said. The 37 year-old driver, who was looking for the factory where he was due to drop off his cargo, ignored several no entry signs to turn into the obviously narrow pedestrian lane in broad daylight, police in the Lucerne region said. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
