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Newest GPS satellite begins service for users worldwide LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS RELEASE Posted: July 20, 2004 Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force have completed on-orbit checkout of the upgraded Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite launched successfully June 23 from Cape Canaveral. The spacecraft has been declared fully operational for military and civilian navigation users around the globe.
The Global Positioning System enables properly equipped users to determine precise time and velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters. Originally designed as a guidance and navigational tool for the military, GPS has proven beneficial in the commercial and civil markets for transportation, surveying and rescue operations. Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users. "This program is a tremendous example of the ongoing commitment to mission success and teamwork shared by Lockheed Martin and the Air Force," said Dave Podlesney, GPS program director for Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Valley Forge, Pa. "We take great pride in the reliability and performance of the 2R spacecraft and look forward to providing even more sophisticated navigation capabilities that will be offered by the upcoming 2R-M series." The GPS 2R team is now gearing up for its next launch, scheduled for Sept. 22, 2004 from Cape Canaveral. Nine more of these satellites will be launched for the Navstar GPS Joint Program Office, Space and Missile Systems Center, to sustain the GPS constellation. To bring new capabilities to the GPS constellation, Lockheed Martin is under contract to modernize eight existing GPS 2R spacecraft already built and in storage. These spacecraft, designated GPS 2R-M, will incorporate two new military signals and a second civil signal to provide military and civilian users of the navigation system with improved capabilities much sooner than previously envisioned. GPS modernization is being performed at Lockheed Martin's facilities in Valley Forge, Pa., and ITT Industries in Clifton, N.J. The first launch of a GPS 2R-M satellite is scheduled for March 2005. Lockheed Martin is also leading a team to develop the U.S. Air Force's next-generation Global Positioning System, GPS 3. The team, which includes Spectrum Astro, Raytheon, ITT and General Dynamics, is currently under contract for GPS 3 concept definition and plans to compete for the future development. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion. |
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From the NASA Archives This three-disc DVD contains rare footage from the pioneering Gemini space missions of the 1960s and an original hour-long documentary. Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide  Apollo 11 special patch  Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide STS-116 patch  The official crew patch for the December launch of shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116 to the International Space Station.Choose your store:U.S. | U.K. The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD  This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide |
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INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE ADVERTISE © 2008 Pole Star Publications Ltd |
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The "Eagle" lunar lander undocks from the "Columbia" command module in preparation for landing. (1min 21sec file)
The Apollo 11 spacecraft "Eagle" lands on the Moon 35 years ago, delivering Armstrong and Aldrin. (2min 04sec file)
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step foot on the surface of the moon on July 20 1969, forever changing history. (11min 17sec file)
One of the liquid-fueled main engines that will power space shuttle Discovery on the return-to-flight mission next spring is test-fired at NASA's Stennis Space Center. (1min 56sec file)
Famed CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite recalls the Apollo 11 mission in this interview on NASA Television. (3min 15sec file)
An interview with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin takes viewers in a retrospective through the Apollo 11 mission. (30min 39sec file)
1960's animation provides this overview of the Saturn 5 rocket and the Apollo 11 mission from launch through return to Earth. Narration is provided. (2min 43sec file)
Film footage from onboard the Saturn 5 rocket captures with stunning beauty the separation of the first stage and a short adapter ring with the blue Earth as backdrop. (1min 36sec file)
On this 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission, re-live the thrilling launch as the astronauts depart Earth for their lunar voyage. (9min 01sec file)
The three astronauts don their spacesuits and head for the launch pad in the final hours before liftoff of Apollo 11 on July 16, 1969. (3min 53sec file)