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Video by Krista Knaus

Global Positioning System (GPS) SMC 2.0 Adaptability & Flexibility

Space Systems Command

May 1, 2019 | 1:51

Coming off the success of the inaugural launch of GPS III Space Vehicle 01 (SV01) in December 2018 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, the GPS Directorate eyes flexibility and adaptability as it looks to work with other commercial launch providers in the future.

The success of that first launch is a harbinger of the growing list of launch providers who are currently developing their capabilities to compete for future National Security Space missions. 5-10 years down the road, what’s to say that we couldn’t be working with other commercial entities like Blue Origin or other defense contractors like Northrop Grumman, both of whom that are developing new, more powerful rockets to keep pace with the increasing competition.

Maj Jenny Ji, GPS III Launch Integration Chief, describes how the team developed different conops for testing and battery charging because the launch processing timelines differ by provider. The SV is typically deployed at different altitudes above the earth with each launch provider. Consequently, we have to re-plan and rehearse the launch and early orbit operations accordingly. As such, there are a plethora of challenges to overcome, but the benefits are also too great to ignore so that we have to try. We are in a global race for access to space, so we can’t afford to fall behind.