satellites/space segment

Russia’s First GLONASS-K In Orbit, CDMA Signals Coming
February 26, 2011

Russia’s First GLONASS-K In Orbit, CDMA Signals Coming

The first new-generation satellite GLONASS-K of the GLONASS navigation system has reached its targeted orbit, the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) announced today (February 26, 2011).

The Soyuz-2.1b rocket lifted off from Plesetsk cosmodrome at 6:07 a.m. (Moscow time) this morning. The GLONASS-K spacecraft was carried into its planned orbit by a Fregat booster at 9:41 a.m. Moscow time, according to Roscosmos public affairs office, which reported that the satellite separated from the booster as planned.

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By Inside GNSS
Three GPS Satellites Moved Into New Positions for More Robust, Accurate Signals
January 25, 2011

Three GPS Satellites Moved Into New Positions for More Robust, Accurate Signals

(Update June 15, 2011 Inside GNSS) Completion of Satellite Repositioing Optimizes GPS Constellation

By next June, the United States GPS constellation will attain the most optimal geometry in its nearly 33-year history. Over time, that means a more robust signal, more accuracy and more reliability in GPS-challenged environments.

The 50th Space Wing is in the middle of maneuvering six GPS satellites into more favorable positions. The two-phase operation, called "Expandable-24"  is halfway to completion.

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By Inside GNSS
FucinoAntennas_lo.jpg
December 30, 2010

Europe’s Galileo Reaches Many 2010 Milestones – but Satellite Launches Still Delayed

Soyuz launch of IOV satellite. ESA illustration

Europe’s Galileo space-based navigation system still awaits launch of its first in-orbit validation (IOV) satellites — now set for August 2011 — but the program is rolling out a steady stream of announcements of milestones reached.

Most recently, European Commission (EC) and European Space Agency (ESA) officials inaugurated the Fucino Galileo Control Center, 130 kilometers (81 miles) east of Rome, which will be responsible for the Ground Mission Segment.

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By Inside GNSS
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GPS Directorate Completes Annual AGER Review

GPS Directorate Completes Annual AGER Review

Col. Bernard Gruber

The GPS Directorate completed its second Annual GPS Enterprise Review (AGER) on December 17, concluding that the program has achieved major milestones in developing and deploying modernized GPS capabilities.

Col. Bernard Gruber, GPS program director at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, led his team through a Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) review chaired by Frank Kendall, deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, and attended by other senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials.

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By Inside GNSS
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China Prepares for 7th Compass/BeiDou-2 Launch
December 16, 2010

China Prepares for 7th Compass/BeiDou-2 Launch

Workers place the satellite fairing for the seventh BeiDou-2 satellite atop a Long March IIIA rocket at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in southwest China’s Sichuan Province

China is preparing for launch of another satellite in its Compass/BeiDou-2 GNSS system in the "coming days," according to an unnamed spokesperson at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

According to earlier news reports, this will be the second of five inclined geosynchronous orbiting (IGSO) spacecraft planned for the regional version of the system that China hopes to complete by 2012. The full (Phase III) constellation will contain only three IGSOs.

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By Inside GNSS
GLONASS Triple Satellite Launch Suffers Rare Failure
December 6, 2010

GLONASS Triple Satellite Launch Suffers Rare Failure

A Proton rocket carrying three modernized GLONASS (GLONASS-M) satellites failed to reach orbit following its launch Sunday (December 5, 2010), falling into the Pacific Ocean.

The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said that a special board had been established to investigate the event — rare for the GLONASS program — and "define next steps."

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By Inside GNSS
SpectraTime Announces Galileo PHM Contract Award
December 1, 2010

SpectraTime Announces Galileo PHM Contract Award

SpectraTime passive hydrogen physics package

SpectraTime has announced that it signed an €11 million contract with Selex Galileo S.p.A to supply the core element of the passive hydrogen masers (PHMs) for the first 14 full operational capability (FOC) Galileo satellites.

A second contract to supply the secondary atomic clocks (Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standards) should be signed in early 2011, according to the Neuchâtel, Switzerland­–based member company of the Orolia Group.

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By Inside GNSS
GPS Satellite Number 23 is 20 Years Old - And Counting
November 30, 2010

GPS Satellite Number 23 is 20 Years Old – And Counting

(From top) GPS Block I, Block IA, Block II, Block IIA

A 20-year-old GPS Block IIA satellite designated as space vehicle number 23 (SVN23) is setting new records in longevity among the durable spacecraft of the Global Positioning System.

Built by Boeing (formerly Rockwell Corporation) and launched on November 26, 1990, SVN23 has operated longer than any other GPS satellites — far exceeding its design life of 7.5 years.  Set healthy shortly after launch for navigation and timing use, the GPS Directorate (formerly GPS Wing) at Los Angeles Air Force Base predicts that the satellite will last another 12–18 months.

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By Inside GNSS
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