U.S. Air Force Successfully Launches Upgraded GPS Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin
A Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin
for the U.S. Air Force, was successfully launched today from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This mission, designated IIR-10, places on
orbit a satellite featuring significant performance upgrades, including an
advanced antenna panel which will increase power for GPS receivers.
GPS IIR satellites are designed to improve global coverage and increase
the overall performance of the GPS constellation. Lockheed Martin has
delivered 21 of these satellites to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile
Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. There are now nine
new-generation GPS IIR spacecraft currently on orbit out of a total GPS
constellation of 28 satellites. Eleven more IIR satellites will be launched
to sustain the GPS constellation.
“The GPS IIR program is a great example of how teamwork and technology
come together to provide a wide range of military and civilian uses for
navigation and precision-timing applications, said Dave Podlesney, GPS IIR
Program Director, Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Valley Forge, Pa. “We take
great pride in achieving mission success for our Air Force customer and look
forward to delivering another high performance spacecraft to our men and women
in uniform, as well as for civil, scientific, and commercial users around the
globe.”
The Global Positioning System allows any properly equipped user to
determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and
altitude to within a few meters. Although originally designed as a guidance
and navigational tool for the military, GPS has proven beneficial in the
commercial and civil markets for transportation, surveying and rescue
operations.
The GPS IIR satellites are compatible with the current system and provide
improved navigation accuracy, achieved by using an ITT Industries payload
system. Additionally, increased autonomy and longer spacecraft life are
inherent in the Lockheed Martin satellite design.
To bring new capabilities to the GPS constellation, Lockheed Martin is
under contract to modernize eight existing GPS IIR spacecraft already built
and in storage. These spacecraft, designated GPS IIR-M, will incorporate two
new military signals and a second civil signal, thus providing military and
civilian users of the navigation system with improved capabilities much sooner
than previously envisioned.
GPS modernization is being performed at the Space & Strategic Missiles
— Valley Forge, Pa. facilities and ITT Industries, Clifton, N.J. facilities.
The first launch of a GPS IIR-M satellite is scheduled for December 2004. The
U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, Calif., is the
contracting agency.
Lockheed Martin is also leading a team to develop the U.S. Air Force’s
next generation Global Positioning System satellite, GPS III. The team, which
includes Spectrum Astro, Raytheon, ITT, and General Dynamics, is currently
preparing for the GPS III Phase A competition.
GPS III will address the challenging military transformational and civil
needs across the globe, including advanced anti-jam capabilities, improved
system security and accuracy, and reliability. The new satellite system will
enhance space-based navigation and performance and set a new world standard
for positioning and timing services. The team selected to meet this challenge
will provide system and sustaining engineering, satellite development and
production, Control Segment upgrades, and continuous research and development
for this evolutionary system.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about
130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems,
products and services. The Corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.
Low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of GPS IIR satellites are
available at: http://lmms.external.lmco.com/photos/military_space/ and click
on GPS
For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems — Sunnyvale, see
our website at http://lmms.external.lmco.com
CONTACT: Steve Tatum, 408-742-7531; e-mail, Stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
