GPS Satellite Surpasses 10 Years of Operations

Aug. 10, 2010

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Lockheed Martin announced Monday that one of its Global Positioning System Block IIR satellites has reached 10 years of successful on-orbit operations. The Air Force launched this satellite, the fifth Block IIR spacecraft built, into space on July 16, 2000. It is one of 30 GPS satellites currently functioning in orbit. “This milestone is yet another example of the talented government-industry team dedicated to delivering GPS capabilities to the warfighter and millions of citizens around the globe,” said Joe Trench, Lockheed’s vice president of navigation systems. This news comes just days before Lockheed’s industry team is expected to complete the critical design review for the next-generation GPS Block IIIA space vehicle. First launch of a GPS Block IIIA satellite is anticipated in 2014.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

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