• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

Air Force successfully launches Global Positioning System satellite built by Lockheed Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION, FL, November 10th, 2000 -- A Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral. This was the fifth successful launch of the new-generation spacecraft, designated GPS IIR. The company will supply 15 more of these satellites to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. for future launches. The satellite launched today, designated GPS IIR-6, will join 27 other operational GPS satellites now on orbit. This satellite will improve global coverage and increase the overall performance of the GPS constellation.

"The Lockheed Martin/ITT Industries Team is proud to provide continuing support to its Air Force customer in sustaining the GPS constellation," said Dave Podlesney, Lockheed Martin GPS program director.

The Global Positioning System allows any user equipped with a GPS receiver to determine velocity and worldwide position ó latitude, longitude and altitude ó within a few meters. Both position data and velocity are given at a precise reference time. 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, on orbit reprogrammability and longer spacecraft life are inherent in the Lockheed Martin satellite design.

In recent GPS IIR news, the Air Force awarded Space Systems a $53 million contract to begin development of modernization changes for up to 12 of the 15 GPS Block IIR satellites that are currently in storage. The satellites will be modified to 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.

In addition, the GPS IIR modifications will include increased signal power and the ability to reprogram signals and power on orbit. These improvements will provide for greater accuracy and better resistance to jamming. Work on this development contract will be performed at the Space Systems - Valley Forge, Pa. and ITT Industries, Clifton, N.J. facilities. Anticipated development completion date is September 2001 with launch availability by March 2003. The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting agency.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems ñ Missiles & Space Operations, Sunnyvale, Calif., is an operating company within Lockheed Martin Space Systems, headquartered in Denver, Colo. It is a leading supplier of satellites to military, civil and commercial markets around the world. These spacecraft provide communications, navigation, weather and earth and space observation data for millions of users around the globe.

Jeffery Adams (408) 742-7606
Pager: (888) 916-1796
jeffery.adams@lmco.com