Global Positioning System Continues Improvement Initiative

Global Positioning System Continues Improvement Initiative
http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123184498
Posted 1/7/2010 Updated 1/7/2010 Email story Print story


Release Number: 010110

1/7/2010 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif. -- The U.S.
Air Force Global Positioning Systems Wing and the 50th Space Wing are
ushering in improved Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities
through a new ground system software release. New capabilities include
telemetry, tracking and commanding for the new GPS IIF space vehicle and
robust security improvements. The planned transition at Schriever Air
Force Base on January, 11, 2010, is the result of extensive testing to
ensure this upgrade is transparent and has no impact to military and
civil users.

With the pending mid-2010 launch of the first GPS IIF space vehicle, the
ground system is prepared to command the new on-orbit GPS IIF
capabilities which include a new navigation signal for civil users,
encrypted military code, crosslink enhancements, improved navigation
signal accuracy and signal power increases. The new software also
provides robust security improvements to include "over-the-air"
distribution of encryption keys to properly equipped military users.
Preparation for activation of the new software included rigorous
developmental and operational testing events including five transition
exercises. The new ground system software commanded current individual
GPS satellites during numerous testing events and rehearsals. In
November and December 2009, the new software successfully uploaded
operational GPS IIA and IIR space vehicles with navigation data and
completed normal operational functions. This improvement initiative
continues the Air Force's commitment to the global community of GPS users.

More: http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123184498

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Another article concerning the general state of GPS modernization:

http://www.insidegnss.com/node/1820

--- CHAS

This is good news. IIF-as-IIF at last!

=93The GPS Wing missed its latest self-imposed deadline (December) for
getting the first IIF satellite moved to the launch site at Cape
Canaveral. That, in turn, appears likely to increase the difficulty of
finding a slot in an already crowded 2010 launch schedule, which gives
priority to the nation=92s space shuttle, which has five launches
scheduled this year. The long-delayed IIF inaugural launch now has a
=93mid-2010=94 date, according to the GPS Wing. =93

Either May on a Delta IV or June on an Atlas-V. Why hedge? Both
those slots are (or were) open.

=93The earliest date for shipping IIF-1 to Florida appears to be
February =97 assuming that the GPS Wing signs off on recent technical
issues that have arisen with the next-generation spacecraft, including
wiring on the IIF solar panels and susceptibility to radiation effects
of some components.=94

Ah, the flies in the ointment. There better not be any tin in that
bird....

And if they miss June, then what? Next year? They are sending up a
Delta IV Heavy later this year and that will stress launch resources.

=93Meanwhile, the GPS Wing has reportedly told the two competing
industry teams that the OCX contract award, most recently set for
December, will now take place in February, too. =94

Awarded with what Money?

Somebody in LAAFB needs to wake up. That ain't "W" in the white house
anymore.

--Mike Jr