The U.S. Air Force successfully launched an upgraded GPS IIR satellite featuring an advanced antenna panel, which will deliver greater performance and power for GPS receivers. GPS IIR satellites are designed to improve global coverage and increase the overall performance of the global positioning constellation. Lockheed Martin has delivered 21 of these satellites to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. There are now a total of 28 GPS satellites on orbit, including 10 new-generation GPS IIR spacecraft.
To bring new capabilities to the GPS constellation, Lockheed Martin is under contract to modernize eight existing GPS IIR spacecraft already built and in storage. These spacecraft, designated GPS IIR-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. http://lmms.external.lmco.com
- The very first GPS satellite was launched in February 1978.
