Lockheed Martin, a leading American aerospace and defense company, has successfully launched the ninth GPS III satellite into orbit, reinforcing the resilience and connectivity for war fighters. The GPS III SV09 was lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The GPS III satellites are designed to be thrice as accurate and eight times better at anti-jamming compared to the previous GPS models. They also boast of a longer lifespan. This series of satellites forms a part of the U.S. Air Force’s plan to modernize the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation with new technology and capabilities.
The launch of the GPS III SV09 adds to the growing constellation of GPS III satellites that are transforming the Global Positioning System. This transformation is expected to bring new levels of precision and reliability to both military and civilian users of GPS services across the globe.
Lockheed Martin has been entrusted with the task of developing up to 32 next-generation GPS III/IIIF satellites. These satellites are expected to deliver greater accuracy, improved anti-jamming capabilities, and advanced operational control system, among other enhancements.
The GPS III SV09 satellite will now undergo a series of on-orbit checkouts and tests before being handed over to the U.S. Space Force for operational usage. It is intended to replace an older satellite currently in orbit. As per the U.S. Space Force’s plan, the tenth GPS III satellite is slated for launch in 2022.
The successful launch of the GPS III SV09 underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to support the U.S. Space Force’s mission to modernize the GPS satellite constellation to enhance global security and promote economic growth.
This launch also marks another important milestone for the GPS III program, which continues to deliver on its promise of providing improved position, navigation and timing services for billions of users worldwide.
It’s worth noting that the GPS III SV09 is the first GPS III satellite to employ a new, more powerful signal known as L1C that is compatible with other international global navigation satellite systems, such as Europe’s Galileo. This compatibility is expected to improve global navigation satellite system interoperability and thus enhance the overall user experience.
Additionally, the GPS III series of satellites are designed to meet the evolving demands of military, commercial and civilian users. They are anticipated to provide significant enhancements over previous GPS satellite models, including better signal availability, improved accuracy, and superior resistance to jamming and spoofing.
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