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SpatialNews Press Release
Air Force Successfully Launches
Global Positioning System Satellite Built by Lockheed Martin
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION, Fla., Nov. 10, 2000-- A Global
Positioning System (GPS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., was
successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral. This was the fifth successful launch of the
new-generation spacecraft, designated GPS IIR. The company will supply 15 more of these satellites to
the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. for future
launches.
The satellite launched today, designated GPS IIR-6, will join 27 other operational GPS satellites now on
orbit. This satellite will improve global coverage and increase the overall performance of the GPS
constellation.
"The Lockheed Martin/ITT Industries Team is proud to provide continuing support to its Air Force
customer in sustaining the GPS constellation," said Dave Podlesney, Lockheed Martin GPS program
director.
The Global Positioning System allows any user equipped with a GPS receiver to determine velocity and
worldwide position -- latitude, longitude and altitude -- within a few meters. Both position data and
velocity are given at a precise reference time. Although originally designed as a guidance and navigational
tool for the military, GPS has proven beneficial in the commercial and civil markets for transportation,
surveying and rescue operations.
The GPS IIR satellites are compatible with the current system and provide improved navigation
accuracy, achieved by using an ITT Industries payload system. Additionally, increased autonomy, on orbit
reprogrammability and longer spacecraft life are inherent in the Lockheed Martin satellite design.
In recent GPS IIR news, the Air Force awarded Space Systems a $53 million contract to begin
development of modernization changes for up to 12 of the 15 GPS Block IIR satellites that are currently
in storage. The satellites will be modified to incorporate two new military signals and a second civil signal,
thus providing military and civilian users of the navigation system with improved capabilities much sooner
than previously envisioned.
In addition, the GPS IIR modifications will include increased signal power and the ability to reprogram
signals and power on orbit. These improvements will provide for greater accuracy and better resistance to
jamming. Work on this development contract will be performed at the Space Systems - Valley Forge, Pa.
and ITT Industries, Clifton, N.J. facilities. Anticipated development completion date is September 2001
with launch availability by March 2003. The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, El
Segundo, Calif., is the contracting agency.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Missiles & Space Operations, Sunnyvale, Calif., is an operating
company within Lockheed Martin Space Systems, headquartered in Denver, Colo. It is a leading supplier
of satellites to military, civil and commercial markets around the world. These spacecraft provide
communications, navigation, weather and earth and space observation data for millions of users around
the globe.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products
and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and
technology services.
For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems-Sunnyvale, see our Web site at
http://lmms.external.lmco.com.
CONTACT:
Lockheed Martin
Jeffery Adams, 408/742-7606
Pager: 888/916-1796
jeffery.adams@lmco.com
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