DATE: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020
LAUNCH TIME: 06:24 p.m. EST (~15 minute launch window)
WHERE: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
CONTACT: Chip Eschenfelder, 303-564-3392; [email protected]
The fourth Lockheed Martin-built GPS III Space Vehicle 04 (GPS III SV04) is scheduled to launch Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Downloadable Resources for Reporters
- Downloadable GPS III SV04 Photos (Flickr): GPS III SV04 Encapsulation, Packing for Shipment, and In Production.
- Image of GPS III satellite on orbit (illustration)
- Video B-roll of animated GPS III satellite on orbit (download from vimeo)
- Launch live feed will be available here: https://www.spacex.com/launches/
GPS III/GPS IIIF Satellite Facts:
- GPS III satellites were designed to help the U.S. Space Force modernize the current GPS constellation with new technology and advanced capabilities. GPS III provides 3x greater accuracy and up to 8x improved anti-jamming power over satellites in the current constellation. GPS III also adds a new L1C Civil signal compatible with Europe's Galileo global navigation satellite system, which will provide greater civil user connectivity in the future.
- As the GPS satellite constellation's modernization continues, after adding GPS III SV04, the four GPS III satellites on orbit will represent about 12 percent of the 31 satellites in the GPS constellation.
- GPS III SV04, will be the 23rd M-Code enabled satellite in the constellation — just one short now of the 24 needed for global coverage. M-code is a more-secure, harder-to-jam or spoof signal “ and is invaluable to U.S. and allied military forces.
- The next satellite “ GPS III SV05 “ is done and the Space Force declared it Available for Launch back in May 2020. The satellite is now waiting to be called up for a launch date in 2021.
- The last GPS III launched, GPS III SV03, which lifted off from the Cape on June 30, 2020, was set operational Oct. 1, 2020.
- Five more GPS III satellites are in production, three of which are fully assembled and in testing.
- Lockheed Martin is also under contract to build up to 22 additional GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) satellites, which add additional technology and advanced capabilities to this warfighting system, including a new Regional Military Protection Capability, which will increase anti-jam support in theater to ensure U.S. and allied forces cannot be denied access to GPS in hostile environments; an accuracy-enhancing laser retroreflector array; a fully digital navigation payload; and a new search and rescue payload. In July, the Space Force declared that the GPS IIIF program had fulfilled Milestone C, which means we have entered the production phase of the program. Lockheed Martin has introduced Augmented Reality tools into the GPS IIIF production process to drive even-greater efficiency into the production process.
- Continued investment in GPS is important. Besides the military applications, the U.S. economic benefit of GPS is estimated to be over $300 Billion per year and $1.4 Trillion since inception.
For additional GPS III information, photos and video visit: www.lockheedmartin.com\gps.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com.
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