Delta 4 Rocket On Launch Pad for Next Generation GPS Satellite
Spaceflight Now The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket that will deploy the first satellite in a new generation of Global Positioning System satellites was placed atop its Cape Canaveral pad this morning. The bright orange and white launcher is scheduled for blastoff May 20 during a window extending from 11:29 to 11:48 p.m. EDT. [...]
GPS Satellite Glitches Fuel Concerns
Wall Street Journal The Air Force’s Southern California space acquisition center on Tuesday announced that a Global Positioning System satellite, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp. and launched in March, is experiencing performance problems in orbit. … Topics: orbit, satellite, Lockheed Martin, launch, GPS
Why satellites didn’t find missing plane
CNN “Airlines often have a contract with a private operator to provide their satellite communications. Some companies pay for it, some have free contracts,” Roelandt said. The United States owns most of the GPS satellites in space that track the positions … Topics: satellite, United States, GPS
Satellite Launches Are Behind Schedule
Baltimore Sun, United States Lockheed Martin Corp. is building that series, and the first are scheduled to launch in 2014. Though it’s now in widespread civilian use, GPS was originally developed for the military, and it’s still managed by the Air Force. The Air Force’s mission is … Topics: GPS, Lockheed Martin, satellite, United States, launch
The military faces a serious risk of a satellite gap in the coming years
DailyTech, IL The report openly criticized the Lockheed Martin communication satellite program and a Boeing-backed GPS system — the estimated cost of both programs increased $10.9 billion for seven fiscal years. Increased expenses that have been left unchecked have … Topics: GPS, Lockheed Martin, satellite
GPS upgrade behind schedule and over budget
CNET News, CA The US plans to invest more than $5.8 billion through 2013 to modernize and replenish the existing GPS satellite constellation. But facing cost overruns of $870 million and “significant” technical problems, the US Air Force, which is in charge of GPS … Topics: satellite, GPS
Will GPS Wear Itself Out?
DefenseNews.com (subscription) In 2008, Boeing lost a bid to build even more advanced GPS IIIA satellites to Lockheed Martin. News that GPS soon may become less reliable is likely to be a surprise to many, even those in the military. “I can’t say that [military commanders] are … Topics: Lockheed Martin, satellite, GPS
GPS Accuracy Could Start Dropping in 2010
TidBITS Unlike other national satellite navigation systems, GPS serves the entire world and is maintained by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. So far, so good, but TidBITS reader Mike Craymer, a geodesist who studies the size, shape and temporal … Topics: United States, satellite, GPS
