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- 02-15-2011
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> Global Positioning System constellation expansion known as "Expandable 24."
When fully
> complete, this expansion will increase global GPS coverage and provide civil,
military
> and commercial GPS users with more robust satellite availability and a higher
probability
> of signal acquisition in terrain challenged environments.
> The GPS constellation consists of 24 operational slots positioned within six
equally-spaced
> The GPS constellation consists of 24 operational slots positioned within six
> orbital planes surrounding the earth. This plane/slot scheme and enhanced
satellite
> placement ensure GPS users receive the most accurate navigation data at any
time, at any
> place around the world.
> Expandable 24 is a U.S. Strategic Command commander directed initiative,
executed by the
> Expandable 24 is a U.S. Strategic Command commander directed initiative,
> wing, specifically the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, to reposition six
satellites in the
> current GPS constellation. Given the strength and number of satellites in the
current
> constellation, Air Force Space Command was in a unique position to enact this
revolutionary
> strategy to benefit global users. AFSPC acted on this opportunity to increase
the
> robustness of satellite availability by expanding three of the baseline 24
constellation
> slots.
> Phase one of Expandable-24 began Jan. 13, 2010 when 2 SOPS performed maneuvers
to reposition
> Phase one of Expandable-24 began Jan. 13, 2010 when 2 SOPS performed maneuvers
> three GPS satellites, one of which took 351 days to maneuver. The last of
the satellites
> completed repositioning on Jan. 18, 2011.
> Phase two of Expandable-24 began in August 2010 and is expected to be complete
in June 2011.
> Phase two of Expandable-24 began in August 2010 and is expected to be complete
> During Phase two, three other GPS satellites will be repositioned. When
complete, the GPS
> constellation will attain the most optimal geometry in its 42 year history,
maximizing GPS
> coverage for all users.
> "Our primary focus is to execute flawless operations to maintain GPS as the
world's gold
> "Our primary focus is to execute flawless operations to maintain GPS as the
> standard for positioning, navigation, and timing," said Lt. Col. Mike Manor,
director of
> operations for 2 SOPS. "By repositioning a handful of our satellites to
optimize their
> locations in space, we've not only improved the accuracy for military users in
disadvantaged
> terrain like Afghanistan, but also improved the accuracy for all GPS users
worldwide."
- GPS Wing: Way Ahead
- Satellite Navigation
- 2010-08-11
> 50th Space Wing completes Phase 1 of E24
> Schriever Air Force Base
> 19 January 2011
> The 50th Space Wing is pleased to announce the completion of phase one of a