First Modernized GPS Satellite Launched
The first modernized GPS satellite meant to provide significantly improved navigation performance for civilian users worldwide, and U.S. military for its special purposes, has been put into orbit.
The satellite is the first in a series of eight GPS IIR-M satellites that will offer a variety of improvements for GPS users' once initial operational capability is reached. This latest series will offer a variety of enhanced features for GPS users, such as a new 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, and a second civil signal that will provide non-military users with an open access signal on a different frequency that should improve its capability for critical navigation purposes.
The current GPS constellation of 28 spacecraft includes 12 fully operational Block IIR satellites, which were previously developed to improve the global coverage and overall performance of the system.
The dash M satellite, built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force contingent at the Navstar GPS Joint Program Office, was launched aboard a Delta II rocket on September 25 from Cape Canaveral in Florida. 10-02-2005.