Tag

Gps Satellites

All articles tagged with #gps satellites

space-technology1 year ago

"Space Force Plans Compact, Cost-Effective GPS Satellites for Enhanced Constellation"

The U.S. Space Force is exploring the possibility of incorporating smaller, more cost-effective satellites into the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation. This initiative aims to enhance the existing GPS infrastructure and is part of a broader effort to leverage commercial space products for national security needs. The Space Systems Command has issued a request for information to gather input from the private sector on developing interoperable GPS spacecraft that could potentially reduce size, weight, power, and cost while maintaining compatibility with current and future GPS receivers and user equipment. This move aligns with the Space Force's push for smaller satellites and reflects ongoing efforts to address challenges related to GPS receiver development and production.

spaceflight2 years ago

Solar Storms Pose Greater Threat to GPS Satellites Than Sun Flares, ESA Study Finds

A new study by researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has found that mild solar storms can cause more serious problems for GPS satellites than once-in-a-century events. The study analyzed 20 years of satellite data and discovered that the most challenging incident for GPS spacecraft came from a minor solar storm in 2010, while the most significant space weather event in recent history, the 2003 Halloween storm, left the GPS satellites mostly unscathed. The study also revealed that the killer electrons, which can cause irreparable damage to satellites, may linger inside the spacecraft long after the solar storm has passed. While the GPS constellation is designed to withstand solar storms, disruptions in the signals emitted by the satellites can render high-accuracy positioning services unreliable, particularly in aviation.

space-technology2 years ago

Delays and Investigations Plague Rocket Launches

The launch of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) has been delayed until May or June 2024 due to the delayed debut of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket. The NTS-3 satellite aims to demonstrate technologies for future GPS satellites and enhance the current GPS fleet while in orbit. Concerns about the vulnerability of GPS satellites to signal jamming and other threats have prompted the experiment, which will explore navigation capabilities such as regional coverage, reprogrammable payloads, and signal jamming protection. The satellite will be used to inform a study on the resilience of military and civilian users' positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities.