Boeing has delivered the first of the next generation GPS

[MikeB]

Boeing has delivered the first of the next generation GPS spacecraft to Cape Canaveral.

After last years scare stories about the state of the GPS constellation and the delays to the new spacecraft we are happy to report that the programme to replace the old satellites and upgrade the constellation is back on track. The latest GPS system known as the GPS IIF are built by Boeing at their development centre in El Segundo California.

The GPS IIF satellites are designed to give a higher precision for SatNavs and better signals for commercial applications. The series is also designed to give better protection from jamming when used by the military in 'hostile environments'.

The first of the GPS IIF satellites (codenamed SV1) is scheduled to be launched on May 13th from Cape Canaveral after being rescheduled a couple of times from last year. The spacecraft will be boosted into orbit on top of a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 early in the morning Florida time.

PocketGPSWorld.com were present for the last of the Delta 2 GPS launches (Launch Video) and we will be there again covering the launch from Cape Canaveral on May 13th.

The official Boeing press release:

The Boeing Company shipped the first GPS IIF advanced navigation satellite from its development center in El Segundo, Calif., to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in preparation for launch later this year. Boeing is building 12 GPS IIF satellites for the Air Force.


Boeing Ships 1st Next-Generation GPS Satellite to Cape Canaveral

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 16, 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Feb. 11 shipped the first Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite from the company's satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a Boeing-built C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. The next-generation navigation spacecraft will now undergo final preparations for launch.

Space Vehicle 1 (SV-1), the first of 12 GPS IIF satellites for the U.S. Air Force, will lift off on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle later this year. The GPS IIF system will bring enhanced performance to the GPS constellation by providing twice the navigational accuracy of heritage satellites, more robust signals for commercial aviation and search-and-rescue, and greater resistance to jamming in hostile environments.

"Since the first GPS satellite was launched in 1978, this successful program has demonstrated the value of space assets," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "The GPS IIF system will afford major performance improvements over the legacy satellites and will sustain and dramatically improve the GPS constellation for civil, commercial and defense users alike."

To prepare for the launch of SV-1, the SV-2 spacecraft in September successfully completed a consolidated system test - a set of one-time, system-level design verification and validation tests involving the space vehicle, the ground-based control segment, and user equipment. In addition, GPS master control stations successfully commanded the space vehicle as they will do when the satellite is in operational orbit. SV-2 was also used as a "pathfinder" to validate transportation equipment and processes, as well as launch-site test procedures and equipment.

GPS is a space-based, worldwide navigation system providing users with highly accurate, three-dimensional position, navigation and timing information 24 hours a day in all weather conditions. GPS IIF is the product of Boeing's experience with 39 successful satellites from the GPS Block I and Block II/IIA missions and more than 30 years of teamwork with the Air Force. GPS IIF will form the core of the GPS constellation for many years to come.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space and Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

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Mike Barrett

[JohnMCJones]

It is very good news to hear that the GPS system is being updated. I seem to recollect that America has promised to maintain the free access to the system.
Where does this leave the EU and its intention to "duplicate" the system to try to show its independence of America? As far as I can see it is still going ahead with its plans and its intention to charge us for its use. Is there any way that the EU can somehow sideline the US GPS system and force us to use a pricey and no doubt inferior system?
Kind Regards

JMCJ

[abuchan]

There is no doubt in my mind that Gordon Brown is planning to put an extra tax on the road fund licence to pay for the EU GPS system, regardless of whether you have a GPS or not. The same way that he is going to put a tax on phone lines to pay for high speed broadband whether you have the Internet or not.

[M8TJT]

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