Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
GPS/GNSS test equipment provider Spirent Federal Systems has announced that their new M-Code solution, SimMNSA, has been granted Security Approval by the Global Positioning System Directorate. They are the first and only company to provide this highly anticipated solution for simulating classified GPS signals, and are currently taking orders, according to a press release.
By Inside GNSS
Though 2019 is brand new there are a host of GPS-related issues carrying over from 2018. This is one in a series of stories on satellite navigation issues on the table as the new year gets underway.
Virginia-based Ligado Networks and its predecessor firm LightSquared have been pushing since 2011 to change the rules governing how its spectrum can be used — a move essential to building a ground-based communications network that navigation experts insist will interfere with GPS receivers.
By Dee Ann Divis
At approximately 12,550 miles (20,200 kilometers) up … turn left. You have arrived at a new era for the Global Positioning System (GPS).
A major milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s plan to bring new technology and capabilities to the GPS constellation, the first Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite began “talking” with engineers and operators from ground control, as planned, following its successful launch Sunday morning.
By Inside GNSS
The Federal Communications Commission — after a multi-agency process that started in October 2013 — approved on November 15 of this year a request from the European Union that Galileo signals be allowed to be received in the United States.
By Dee Ann Divis
This is a very exciting and anxious time of year for boys and girls as they await the arrival of Santa Claus and his bag of toys. Fortunately, for those who need to know exactly when to expect this wonderful arrival, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa each year during the holiday season, using satellite systems and high-powered radars to deliver the Santa Tracker.
By Inside GNSS
UPDATE: According to SpaceX, the launch has been pushed back a second time. Initially the company had not selected a new launch date, but on Dec. 20 they stated that the new date was to be Dec. 22.
Here are some details from the SpaceX website published on Dec. 20:
SpaceX is now targeting December 22nd for launch of the United States Air Force’s first Global Positioning System III space vehicle (SV) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Weather is 80% favorable for the launch window which opens at 8:55 a.m. EST, 13:55 UTC.
For this mission, the satellite will be deployed to medium Earth orbit approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes after liftoff. Due to mission requirements, SpaceX will not attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage after launch. You can watch the live launch webcast, starting about 15 minutes before liftoff.
By Inside GNSS
At Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Tech Summit event in Hawaii, Dec. 4-6, the company unveiled the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform. Described as the world’s first commercial 5G mobile platform, it is designed to harness multi-gigabit 4G connectivity while unleashing transformative 5G experiences.
By Inside GNSS
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Standards (ATIS) sent a letter to multiple government officials at the end of last month asking them to “…mitigate the impacts of GPS vulnerability to the public.”
By Inside GNSS
It’s hard to believe — with all of the developments that have taken place just this past year alone involving Galileo — that this week marks two years since the launch of Galileo Initial Services.
By Inside GNSS
During a discussion of PNT issues at a workshop on Dec. 11, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official mentioned that DHS was developing performance standards for GPS/GNSS receivers used in critical infrastructure.
By Inside GNSS
In addition to regularly expected updates for GPS systems and U.S. government activities, this week’s meeting of the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board included discussions with industry representatives and officials from Europe.
By Inside GNSS
This article provides an overview of the current Galileo system deployment status and performance trends since the Initial Open Service declaration on December 15, 2016. The system performance is assessed through a set of navigation and timing performance figures of merit. The outstanding performance results along with the acceleration in the constellation and ground segment deployment confirm that the Galileo system is on track towards Full Operational Capability. That Initial Open Service Declaration in late 2016 marked a historical milestone in the Galileo program. Here the authors will illustrate that Galileo has arrived and that it works.
By Inside GNSS
The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board kicked off a two-day meeting in Redondo Beach, California this morning with James J. Miller, Executive Director, PNT Advisory Board, NASA Headquarters; John Stenbit, Chair, and Dr. Bradford Parkinson, 1st Vice-Chair, among those speaking at the opening of the sessions.
By Inside GNSS
