LITTLETON, Colo., Jan. 18,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The sixth Global Positioning
System III (GPS III) satellite designed and built by Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been launched and is propelling to its
operational orbit approximately 12,550 miles above Earth, where it
will contribute to the ongoing modernization of the U.S. Space
Force's GPS constellation.
GPS III Space Vehicle 06 (GPS III SV06) launched from Cape
Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at
7:24 a.m. EST today. About 83 minutes
after liftoff, U.S. Space Force and Lockheed Martin engineers at
the company's Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center
confirmed signal acuistion of GPS III SV06 and now have the space
vehicle "flying" under their control.
GPS III SV06 is the 25th Military-Code satellite
introduced to the constellation. The satellite will provide
advanced technology to aide Space Force operators in their mission
by providing positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) data to
military and civil users worldwide.
"Lockheed Martin is incredibly proud to support the Space
Force's GPS team as it continues to add world-class capabilities
that underpin U.S. national security with enhanced performance and
accuracy," said Andre Trotter,
Lockheed Martin vice president for Navigation Systems. "With the
last GPS III satellite complete and ready to launch, production of
the first GPS IIIF vehicle is underway."
GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation system that delivers
the gold standard in PNT services to America's military, U.S.
allies and civil users. The satellites serve as a crucial
technological foundation for internet, financial, transportation
and agricultural operations, with more than 4 billion users
depending on the PNT signals.
GPS III vehicles provide three times greater accuracy and eight
times greater anti-jamming capability over existing satellites in
the constellation. To better address mission needs and emerging
threats, Lockheed Martin intentionally created GPS III with a
modular design, allowing new technology and capabilities to be
added in the future.
Lockheed Martin has completed production on its original GPS III
SV1-10 contract, with the Space Force declaring SV10 Available for
Launch on Dec. 8, 2022. GPS III SV06
will soon join SV01-05 in orbit. GPS III SV07-10 are completed and
in storage at the company's facility waiting for the U.S. Space
Force to call them up for launch.
Lockheed Martin is also designing and building the GPS III
Follow On (GPS IIIF) for the Space Force, which will feature even
more innovative capabilities than its predecessors. GPS IIIF
satellites will feature an accuracy-enhancing laser retroreflector
array, a new search and rescue payload, a fully digital navigation
payload and more next-generation technology. In November 2022, Space Systems Command announced it
exercised the third production option valued at approximately
$744 million for the procurement of
three additional GPS IIIF satellites from Lockheed Martin, meaning
the company is now contracted to build SV11-20.
For additional GPS information, photos and video
visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/gps.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest
announcements and news across the corporation, and
@LMSpace to learn more about the latest technologies, missions
and people driving the future of space.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin