satellites/space segment

Lockheed Martin Team Completes GPS IIIB System Design Review
July 5, 2011

Lockheed Martin Team Completes GPS IIIB System Design Review

GPS III satellite. Lockheed Martin illustration

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful, on-schedule completion of a system design review (SDR) for the second-phase of next-generation GPS satellite development, the IIIB increment.

The company’s Space Systems division in Newtown, Pennsylvania, is under contract to produce the first two of a planned eight GPS IIIA satellites, with first launch projected for 2014. The contract includes a Capability Insertion Program (CIP) designed to mature technologies and perform rigorous systems engineering for future GPS III increments.

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By Inside GNSS
First Encounters: Asteroid MD 2011 Meets the GPS Constellation
June 28, 2011

First Encounters: Asteroid MD 2011 Meets the GPS Constellation

MD 2011 trajectory (NASA)

A schoolbus-sized asteroid grazed the Earth’s atmosphere around 1:00 P.M. (EDT)  on June 27. It was 7,600 miles (12,300 km) away at its closest point, at which time it veered away across the South Atlantic Ocean.

It actually passed through the GPS constellation, alerting us to the vulnerability of our vital PNT space vehicles. We can now add asteroids to the the list of GNSS collision risks that already includes other satellites and space debris.

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By Inside GNSS
Airport Authority of India Says GAGAN Satellite is in Position
June 26, 2011

Airport Authority of India Says GAGAN Satellite is in Position

Detail of India’s GAGAN system, from a presentation by Dr. S.V. Kibe. For full diagram:

The communications satellite that carries India’s GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system has been positioned, according to major news sources in India.

"The initial phase is now over. The satellite is now in position," Airports Authority of India chairman V.P. Agarwal said at a New Delhi workshop on aviation safety.

"We are now going through the certification stage of the Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) and we will have certification of the system by June 2013." he said, according to reports.

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By Inside GNSS
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GLONASS, Galileo Finances Star at Paris Air Show
June 22, 2011

GLONASS, Galileo Finances Star at Paris Air Show

The two Soyuz ST-B launchers and Fregat-MT upper stages arrived at Kourou harbor on June 18 are the most powerful Soyuz-Fregat combination available, intended to launch the four Galileo IOV satellites. Arianespace photo

Supporters of Europe’s Galileo system got some good news today (June 22, 2011) at the Paris Air Show: savings in the program have freed up funds that may be able to support acquisition of at least six additional spacecraft by 2014.

Taking part in a signing ceremony for the final Galileo work packages, European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani announced that improved program management and cost-cutting by industry vendors could free up €300 million ($482.8 million) — enough to ensure that 24 satellites could be launched by 2015.

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By Inside GNSS
Completion of Satellite Repositioning Optimizes GPS Constellation
June 15, 2011

Completion of Satellite Repositioning Optimizes GPS Constellation

Successful  completion today (June 15, 2011) of the rephrasing of the GPS constellation known as “Expandable 24,” has produced the most optimal geometry in the system’s 42-year history, maximizing GPS coverage for all users worldwide.

The 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, successfully executed the two-phase expansion and repositioning of satellites, which improves global GPS coverage and provides a more robust signal and higher probability of signal acquisition in terrain-challenged environments.

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By Inside GNSS
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China Plans Another Eight Compass/BeiDou Lanches by End of 2012
May 20, 2011

China Plans Another Eight Compass/BeiDou Lanches by End of 2012

Ran Chengqi

According to a May 19 People’s Daily report, China will launch another eight Beidou navigation satellites before the end of next year.

Speaking at the second Chinese Satellite Navigation Academic Annual Meeting in Shanghai on May 18, Ran Chengqi, the director of the Chinese Satellite Navigation Administrative Office, said the overall testing of the Compass/BeiDou satellite navigation system will be finished on Oct. 10, 2011.

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By Inside GNSS
Galileo Launch Date Set for October
May 13, 2011

Galileo Launch Date Set for October

Soyuz launcher during dry run at Kourou Spaceport. ESA photo. S. Corvaja

[Updated June 1, 2011] Two Galileo in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites will comprise the first launch on a modified Soyuz rocket from the European Union’s spaceport in French Guiana.

Now scheduled for October 20, the launch will mark the beginning of the creation of the operational constellation for Europe’s GNSS system.

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By Inside GNSS
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