The Space Force successfully sent its latest GPS III satellite to orbit Friday, demonstrating the ability to prepare and launch a military spacecraft on condensed timelines.
The satellite flew on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida.
GPS III, built by Lockheed Martin, is the latest version of the navigation and timing system and is designed to provide improved anti-jamming capabilities.
The service opted to conduct its first RRT missions with GPS III satellites for a few reasons.
She has covered the U.S. military since 2012, with a focus on the Air Force and Space Force.
The Space Force proved that it can prepare and launch a military spacecraft on short notice on Friday when it successfully launched its newest GPS III satellite into orbit.
The satellite took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. Built by Lockheed Martin, GPS III is the most recent iteration of the timing and navigation system with enhanced anti-jamming capabilities. It will transmit more civilian and military signals.
The launch was the second of a series of Rapid Response Trailblazer missions the Space Force is conducting to test its ability to swiftly launch high-value satellites in response to national security requirements, in addition to providing additional GPS capacity. Condensing a procedure that could take two years to a few months is the aim.
The first mission, which took place in December, cut the period between launch notification and liftoff to about five months. The mission that took place on May 30th cut it even shorter, to about ninety days.
Mission Director Walt Lauderdale told reporters during a pre-launch briefing on May 28 that “what we’re demonstrating here is that it is possible with our current vehicle systems that if there is a need to get something on orbit quickly, something that is unpredicted at the time we put it in our contract, we have the capacity and we know what it would take to make that happen.”.
Although the Space Force has demonstrated its ability to launch small payloads on demand on commercial rockets through its Tactically Responsive Launch program, RRT is demonstrating that capability on larger, more complex payloads.
For several reasons, the service decided to use GPS III satellites for its initial RRT missions. To begin with, DOD users have a strong desire for the military signal, M-Code.
Prior to recently, the spacecraft was supposed to travel on United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket, which was not authorized to carry out national security missions. The Space Force was able to test the adaptability of both the launch company and Lockheed as the satellite provider by switching the missions to a SpaceX rocket with relative ease because GPS III satellites are qualified to fly on multiple vehicles.
According to Col. According to Mission Delta 31 Commander Andrew Menschner, the team has discussed the value of multi-vehicle qualification with Space Force leadership and anticipates that more spacecraft will eventually have that inherent flexibility.
According to Menschner’s statement during the same briefing, the endeavor also benefited from the fact that Lockheed’s factory had several GPS III satellites waiting for a ride. The usefulness of having systems ready to launch when needed was illustrated by the use of those spacecraft for a mission such as this.
In addition to demonstrating our ability to react swiftly in the event of a vehicle failure while in orbit, Menschner stated, “we’re also trying to show the best ways to be resilient now that we have the launch timelines headed to much shorter durations.”. Having a finished car in the factory that is prepared to react is one way to demonstrate resilience. “”.
Although the service may decide not to use the concepts for all upcoming GPS launches, Lauderdale pointed out that these missions have demonstrated that faster timelines are achievable. The driver will most likely be the readiness of the spacecraft.
“We are showing what it would take to respond to something unexpected and how we can do that to support the warfighter,” he said, adding that he didn’t anticipate it becoming a regular cadence.
The space and emerging technology reporter for C4ISRNET is Courtney Albon. The U.S. has been covered. A. military since 2012, concentrating on the Space Force and Air Force. She has covered some of the most important budgetary, policy, and acquisition issues facing the Defense Department.
