LIVE: Delta II - GPS-IIR - August 17, 2009

[HIPAR]

That was a really fast commissioning.  The new GPS satellite is now available:


NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2009055
SUBJ: SVN50 (PRN05) USABLE JDAY 239/1440
1.     NANU TYPE: USABINIT
       NANU NUMBER: 2009055
       NANU DTG: 271449Z AUG 2009
       REFERENCE NANU: N/A
       REF NANU DTG: N/A
       SVN: 50
       PRN: 05
       START JDAY: 239
       START TIME ZULU: 1440
       START CALENDAR DATE: 27 AUG 2009
       STOP JDAY: N/A
       STOP TIME ZULU: N/A
       STOP CALENDAR DATE: N/A

2.  CONDITION: GPS SATELLITE SVN50 (PRN05) WAS USABLE AS OF JDAY 239
    (27 AUG 2009) BEGINNING 1440 ZULU.

3.  POC: CIVILIAN - NAVCEN AT 703-313-5900, http://HTTPS://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV
    MILITARY - GPS OPERATIONS CENTER at http://HTTP://GPS.AFSPC.AF.MIL/GPSOC,
DSN 560-2541,
    COMM 719-567-2541, [email protected],
http://HTTPS://gps.afspc.af.mil
    MILITARY ALTERNATE - JOINT SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER, DSN 276-9994,
    COMM 805-606-9994, [email protected]

[Jim]

Jim - would love to hear your insights on the roles of the different groups in the USAF and NASA launches. I gather ULA does the actual work for all of them. My vague impression has been that current-era NASA launches are formally a launch services buy - ULA owns the rocket and is formally responsible for the launch, NASA just buys the ride as a passenger; while for USAF launches, USAF owns the rocket and 1SLS is on paper responsible for the launch, with ULA in the role of a subcontractor... but I'm sure you'll tell me I've got it completely wrong? :-)

NASA now buys launch services.  No hardware

USAF buys a vehicle with one contract and also has another contract to launch it.

The 1SLS does not touch the hardware.  Just watches ULA

[jcm]

Jim - would love to hear your insights on the roles of the different groups in the USAF and NASA launches. I gather ULA does the actual work for all of them. My vague impression has been that current-era NASA launches are formally a launch services buy - ULA owns the rocket and is formally responsible for the launch, NASA just buys the ride as a passenger; while for USAF launches, USAF owns the rocket and 1SLS is on paper responsible for the launch, with ULA in the role of a subcontractor... but I'm sure you'll tell me I've got it completely wrong? :-)

NASA now buys launch services.  No hardware

USAF buys a vehicle with one contract and also has another contract to launch it.

The 1SLS does not touch the hardware.  Just watches ULA

thanks

[Antares]

Also note that NASA has go-nogo on LV issues (including being polled and calling a hold) for almost all of its ELV launches.  GOES and COTS/CRS would be the exceptions.

I know USAF is polled, and I assume their/Aerospace engineers can stop the count too.

Few other commercial customers if any have an active role in the LV side of the count.

[jacqmans]

Lockheed Martin has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.


NEWTOWN, Pa., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The last in a series of eight modernized Global Positioning System IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellites built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been declared operational by the U.S. Air Force for military and civilian navigation users around the globe.


The satellite, known as GPS IIR-21(M), was launched successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 17. Lockheed Martin's operations team assisted the Air Force with the launch and early on-orbit maneuvers.


"The team once again executed a smooth and disciplined on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems and we're extremely pleased to have another high-performance GPS IIR-M satellite in our robust constellation," said Col. Dave Madden, the U.S. Air Force GPS Wing Commander. "I salute the entire government-industry GPS IIR-M team for their talent and determination to provide advanced navigation accuracy and reliability for GPS users worldwide."


Lockheed Martin and its navigation payload provider ITT of Clifton, N.J. designed and built 21 IIR spacecraft and subsequently modernized eight of those spacecraft designated Block IIR-M. Each IIR-M satellite includes a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency.


"Reaching this milestone is a critical step in the mission to provide advanced position, timing and navigation capabilities for the warfighter and civil users," said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Navigation Systems. "The successful launch and operational turnover is a testament to the capabilities of our entire GPS team. Working together with our Air Force partner is a source of tremendous pride for Lockheed Martin."


GPS provides essential services including situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military. It is also an information resource supporting a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions -- from air traffic control to the Internet -- with precision location and timing information.


Building upon a legacy of providing progressively advanced spacecraft for the current GPS constellation, Lockheed Martin, along with ITT Corporation and General Dynamics will produce the next generation of global positioning satellites, designated GPS III. This program will improve position, navigation and timing services for the warfighter and civil users.


The team is progressing on-schedule in the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the program and is on track to launch the first GPS IIIA satellite in 2014.



Low- and high-resolution JPEG image files of a GPS IIR-M satellite are available at:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/GPS/