Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

Contract to Build GPS Satellites

May 6th, 2013

Most consumers never think about the GPS satellites that their directional devices use to determine their location. In fact, hardly anyone can state how many satellites there are, who owns them, and how long they have been in space. Yet, this lack of knowledge does not take away from the importance of these satellites. Recently, a leading company was awarded a contract to build another generation of Global Positioning System satellites.

The Satellites

More people than ever before own some sort of GPS device. In order to determine their location, these devices sense signals sent out from satellites orbiting in space. Based on the number of signals it detects and the position of each signal, the device is able to determine its own location. The system works remarkably well, but most users have noticed difficulties. Sometimes a device cannot get a signal, or the connection is quickly lost. These hiccups spur developers to continue to come up with newer, better systems.

The Contract

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems $120 million to build four more GPS satellites. These satellites are to be part of the new GPS III program, the next generation of GPS satellites. Lockheed Martin is already in the process of building the first four satellites for the program. The satellites are being assembled and tested in the company’s facility in Jefferson County, Colorado. Schriever Air Force Base in El Paso County is overseeing the project. There are reports that the Air Force plans to buy up to 32 of these satellites.

The Ramifications

While these newer satellites will of course have enhanced military applications, the average consumer will also likely reap some benefits. An obvious benefit is simply the presence of more and newer GPS satellites in space. Another feature is these new satellites’ ability to communicate with other GPS satellites, even those from other countries. This communication allows users to pull signals from many additional satellites. Having more signals to draw from should result in faster, more reliable connections for GPS devices.

Although the production of these satellites is not cheap, and launching them into space will have an even higher cost, they come with a wide range of benefits. Our dependence on GPS technology requires us to continue to replace aging satellites and to develop even better GPS satellites that can provide consistent service for the future.

Boeing To Update GPS System

April 17th, 2013

Boeing has been chosen to perform updates to the Air Force’s GPS network, modernizing software and other systems that keep the constellation of satellites operational and protected from any threats or attacks.

GPS technology has indeed become a part of everyone’s lives more than ever before, but many experts are worried about possible security breaches in the system, like hacker malware threats. As such, it is important to upgrade the system to protect against these threats before they occur.

Regardless of the fact the US owns the GPS network, anyone in the world can use it, free of charge. Unfortunately, it requires a significant investment when it comes time for an upgrade. Although the world uses it, it is up to the US to maintain.

One would think other countries would get together and chip in, but such is not the case. China is upgrading their BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, what will be known as COMPASS or BeiDou-2. Russia has GLONASS. The European Union is hard at work on Galileo. It is evident that these countries would rather develop their own GPS constellations to compete with us rather than collaborate with us.

All of these systems are vulnerable to spoofing, which is when someone tricks a GPS device by broadcasting a more powerful signal than the GPS satellites are providing. The spoofed signals lead to the GPS device providing the user with inaccurate coordinates, usually predetermined by the spoofer.

The military, security operations, and businesses are at risk of spoofing. An example of this: in December 2011, enemies were able to capture a Lockheed RQ-170 drone in Iran.

Boeing said they will work hard to modernize the constellation over the next five years. They were recently awarded a $51 million, one-year contract from the Air Force with four one-year options. According to a statement released by Boeing, the contract specifies Boeing’s responsibilities: shipping GPS IIF satellites to the launch site located in Florida; pre-launch preparation; post-launch checkout; handover and on-orbit support.

“The contract provides mission continuity for the Boeing GPS IIF fleet as we continue to deliver on our commitments,” said Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems VP and General Manager Craig Cooning. “With nine GPS IIFs still awaiting deployment, the contract scope includes supplying all support needed until the Air Force calls for the vehicles.”

In all, Boeing is contracted to supply 12 GPS IIF satellites. Three of the 12 are already in orbit.

“We have the capability to maintain the remaining IIF spacecraft to be delivered and the flexibility to launch up to three within a single year if required to sustain the network,” said Boeing GPS IIF program director Jan Heide.

Third GPS IIF Satellite Activated

February 19th, 2013

On October 4, 2012, the third GPS IIF satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. After just 22 days of an anticipated month-long on-orbit checking and validation process, the satellite was designated healthy and became part of the global positioning systems constellation of 31 satellites. Renamed SVN-65, the satellite promises to increase navigational accuracy for both civilian and military use.

A Partnership

The GPS IIF program is the result of a cooperative effort between Boeing and the United States Air Force. With almost 40 years of partnering and an accumulated 500 years of on-orbit service since they first launched a GPS satellite in 1978, their efforts have increased national security and improved technology for civilian applications. Developed and programmed by Boeing, SVN-65 was turned over to the USAF to be operated from Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado under the 50^th Space Wing’s 2^nd Space Operation Squadron. The partnership promises continued technological advancements for the future.

A Tribute

The launch in October also paid tribute to Capt. Vivian Elmo, who played a critical role in the first two launches of the GPS IIF program. Her team earned the 2010 Chief of Staff Excellence Award for their work in the early stages of the program. Capt. Elmo was killed in a car-accident last year, and the team wanted to honor her memory by designing the traditional launch patch for this mission to incorporate Arcturus, a navigational star and the brightest start in the northern celestial hemisphere, in the form of a sunflower, Capt. Elmo’s favorite flower.

A Success

With three successful launches under its belt, Boeing plans to launch nine more GPS satellites over the next couple of years, six in 2013 and three in 2014. Not only does this third launch represent improved navigational capabilities, but it represents increased anti-jamming capabilities as well, crucial for national security and emergency services. The GPS IIF program also allows authorities to further test the new civilian L5 signal that is to be used by commercial airlines and search and rescue teams without the congestion of standard use satellites.

Boing and the United States Air Force have achieved great advancements in GPS technology, enhancing the lives of civilians and increasing the power of the military. Activating a third GPS IIF satellite is just the beginning.

New Global Positioning System Satellite is Launched into Space

January 24th, 2013

On October 4^th of 2012, the brand new Global Position System satellite, labeled the Block IIF, was launched into space. Prior to its launch, a corporation called the Space and Missile systems center and workers from Space Wings, ran checks of the satellite over a period of three weeks. This was required before allowing the device to be placed among thirty other GPS satellites in the constellation designated for GPS satellites. Control of this device was given to a division of the Air Force on October 26^th of 2012.

This Global Positioning System satellite is specifically designed to transmit digital radio signals to receivers on the ground. Millions of people will make use of this device over the course of its time in space, making it necessary for the device to be highly durable and well programmed. Not only is it used by the military, but civilians will also use it commonly in their every day lives. It is intended to assist both military personnel and civilians around the world to be able to better calculate their speed, time and location.

This specific satellite is among the fifth generation series of the global positioning spacecraft that have been set into the GPS constellation. It is equipped with new and upgraded timing technology. Additionally, a higher tech military signal has been programmed into the device. This will allow for a clearer signal that resists jamming. Having a clear and jam-free signal is essential in military operations. Not only is has the signal designed for the military been improved, but also the civilian signal has been designed with a higher power frequency.

Because of its high tech design and stronger system, the new global positioning system satellite has been created to operate efficiently in orbit for a total of 12 years. It has also been designed with reprogrammable processor. This processor is made to be capable of receiving updates to its software and programming. This uploads will allow it to operate at maximum efficiency during its lifespan. Designers hope to launch the next Global Positioning Block IIF spacecraft by May of 2013.

Global Positioning Systems in a Nutshell

January 7th, 2013

Since the Department of Defense placed the first satellite into earth’s orbit in 1978, an entire network of 27 satellites, 24 currently transmitting and 3 emergency replacements as needed, have launched to form today’s Global Positioning System (also called NAVSTAR). Solar-powered and always active, the satellites allow the pinpointing of any location at any time on earth’s surface.

How is a GPS location calculated?

It’s all three-dimensional trilateration. The communication between a GPS receiver and GPS satellites in orbit uses radio signals to accurately determine a location on earth. First, the distance in space between the position on earth and one initial satellite of at least four is calculated. The satellite’s highly accurate atomic clock resets the receiver’s down to the correct nanosecond so that both are on the exact same time, which in turn syncs the clocks of the other three (or more) satellites alongside them to that time as well. When a signal is sent from satellite to receiver, the time (lag) difference between the two locations is recorded and used by the receiver to generate the distance from earth to satellite and, in turn, an approximate point on earth.

Then the other satellites also generate, in the same manner, approximate points near the first, and the meeting point of all satellite locations is determined to be most precise position on earth. Once it has a starting point, this system can calculate longitude and latitude, as well as elevation. When combined with other active satellites, it can also be used to find direction, velocity, and the distance to a predetermined end point.

Is GPS ever wrong?

Most errors occur because signal communication with the receiver is interrupted or lost. For instance, huge buildings or large natural formations on earth’s surface can hinder signals from hitting the receiver at the correct time. Certain conditions in the atmosphere also slow a signal. Inaccuracies in the receiver’s clock and satellite orbital shift may be taken into consideration and recalculated. Satellites are built with a 10 year average life span; in some cases perhaps the equipment itself has merely worn out.

What if GPS is wrong?

It’s not that likely. The GPS satellites are not only armed with an atomic clock and interior almanac but also are constantly updating themselves with receivers monitored by Department of Defense to check for data errors. A high-tier Differential GPS satellite, not permitted to be used by the general public, receives around-the-clock accurate information from a permanently placed receiver and sends updated corrections to all other local public satellites.

Japan Prepares Navigation System to Enhance GPS

December 17th, 2012

The United States isn’t the only country aiming to upgrade or improve their current GPS satellite constellation. The developer helping Japan create its own satellite navigation system, Core Corp., recently showcased a signal receiver unit at the 2012 Embedded Technology show that is designed to obtain more accurate global positioning information.

Japan is getting ready to deploy the Quazi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), regional navigation techology. Tokyo’s Core Corp. said on November 14. Their highly accurate signal receiver unit will not only function with the QZSS, but the current GPS system already in place. The first satellite in the QZSS constellation was launched in 2010,and was named Michibiki. The country has plans to launch an additional three QZSS satellites before the year 2020.

The goal of implementing this new navigation system is to enhance the current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) regionally. Japan and other areas in the western Pacific Ocean will be covered by the QZSS signals.

Ryo Kurokawa, part of Core’s advanced embedded technology center, said the receiver the company has developed is capable of receiving both QZSS “availability enhancement signals,” offering better GPS coverage and QZSS “performance enhancement signals,” providing a more accurate and reliable method of acquiring more precise GPS data.

Japan isn’t the only country working on their own GPS satellite constellation. Russia’s GLONASS system is now operational, while the Galileo system is being in the works by the European Union. Compass is a GPS system currently being developed by China, and here in the US, we are overhauling our own GPS constellation by replacing aging vehicles with brand new GPS-III satellites.

“We are in an era of the gold rush for satellite launches,” Kurokawa said. He predicts that by 2018, there will be about 140 satellites launched.

USAF GPS III Satellite Production on Firm Footing

December 11th, 2012

Production of the US Air Force’s GPS System III satellite is well underway, demonstrated by the delivery of the satellite propulsion core module by Lockheed Martin to their GPS Processing Facility (GPF) located in Denver, Colorado.

“The delivery of the propulsion core demonstrated this program is on firm footing and poised to deliver on its commitments,” said Lieut. Col. Todd Caldwell, the GPS III program manager for the USAF. “In this challenging budget environment, we are focused on efficient program execution to deliver critical new capabilities to GPS users worldwide.”

This first piece of hardware contains the integrated propulsion system and is the backbone for the structure of the satellite itself. Lockheed Martin won the contract for the design in 2008 and its team has been developing and testing the system at their Mississippi Space & Technology Center. The key function of the propulsion system maneuvers the satellite during transfer orbit and maneuver repositioning orbit.

The GPS III development includes developing a full-sized satellite prototype, called be GPS III n On-Flight Satellite Testbed, or GNST. This reduces the risk as well as overall program costs for the US government as well as identifies and solves issues during the development phase.

The purpose of the GPS III program replaces older model GPS satellites while at the same time improves their capability to it meet the ever-changing demands of military users in an affordable way. These satellites are also used by civilians and commercial users alike, and deliver overall better accuracy with anti-jamming capabilities.

The total bill for the design and development of the first to GPS III satellite along with the GNST prototype is unknown at this time, but the USAF has exercised a $238 million option for satellites numbers three and four.

The development team for the GPS III satellite is led by the GPS Directorate based at the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is based in Bethesda, Maryland, and is involved in everything from the research and design of advanced technology systems and services, to their development and manufacture, all the way through the integration and sustainment of their products.

Based on the lessons learned through the development of the GNST prototype, Lockheed Martin expects the first satellite to be on track and ready for launch in 2014.

LightSquared Halted in Its Tracks

December 5th, 2012

The saga continues for LightSquared as members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and the Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation discuss the controversy over a nationwide wireless mobile broadband network causing interference with the receivers used by global positioning systems. Although they have filed for bankruptcy, LightSquared is hoping for some return on its $4 billion investment.

The Beginning

In March 2010, LightSquared gained control of the L-Band Spectrum in the 1525-1559 MHz block. This spectrum sits just below the GPS spectrum and was originally designated for low-power satellite transmissions that would not interfere with GPS receivers. The company applied for a government waiver to use its spectrum for high-power, ground-only transmissions to create a cellular network for iPhones and other such wireless devices. LightSquared received a conditional waiver in January 2011; it could build its network as long as it did not interfere with GPS devices. A problem arose, however, when switching from a satellite only spectrum to a terrestrial one.

The Ending

Makers of GPS-enabled devices raised the alarm about receiver interference from LightSquared’s spectrum, so the NTIA stepped in to test for problems. The National Telecommunication and Information Administration found that GPS receivers were indeed harmed by the higher-powered cellular network, and fears over public safety in light of this data resulted in the withdrawal of the Federal Communication Commission’s waiver. The FCC has as its top priority the protection of the public, so any interference with GPS signals for emergency personnel or air traffic control could pose a serious problem for public safety. Even LightSquared’s offer to use only the lower 10 MHz raised concern, and the company was again denied.

Another Beginning?

The Committee on Energy blames the FCC for letting LightSquared get too far along in the process, but they also regret the loss of another technologies company. Representatives admit that they do not have the expertise to fully ascertain the significance of the controversy, but they are willing to look at viable options that will allow LightSquared to continue its mission of building a cellular network. One possibility under discussion is a spectrum swap done under government supervision that would preserve the reliability of GPS receivers in their designated spectrum.

Boeing Upgrades Navy’s HIGPS Receivers

November 19th, 2012

Boeing’s Defense, Space, & Security department in Huntington Beach, CA was awarded a $40 million sole-source contract by officials with the Naval Research Laboratory in order to optimize GPS receivers for the Navy High Integrity GPS (HIGPS) program. The goal: keep the GPS devices operational despite interference and electronic jamming by using the Global Positioning System (GPS) alongside the Iridium commercial satellite system.

HIGPS is a local GPS enhancement that relies on the Iridium low Earth orbit constellation of 66 satellites, which improve navigation performance even when the GPS satellite becomes unavailable because of electronic jamming.

Four years ago, Boeing was awarded a $153.5 million contract to begin the initial phase of the program, which involved researching enhanced satellite navigation and timing technologies. This first phase wrapped up last year.

Back in 2009, Boeing announced their engineers had successfully finished the Enhanced Narrowband sofware modification to the computers onboard Iridium satellites to allow Iridium spacecraft to emit second-generation GPS-aiding signals. This enables more accurate, quicker GPS position fixes no matter where in the world you are.

These GPS-aiding signals allow only those GPS devices that are properly equipped to quickly lock on to a GPS signal, even if the device is operating in places such as forests, mountains, cities, and canyons, or any environment that normally makes it next to impossible to lock on to a GPS signal. It will also work despite enemy attempts to jam the signal, and despite any battlefield RF noise, according to Boeing officials. Boeing demonstrated how to acquire GPS signal while moving with jamming conditions in the program’s initial phase.

HIGPS capability relies both on the signals from Iridium satellites and US Air Force-operated GPS mid-Earth-orbit navigational satellites. Iridium offers a powerful signal along with changing ground track quickly to speed up the initial position fix. The GPS system is needed to provide navigational data such as time, location, and velocity. This gives the HIGPS receivers better navigational abilities, a safer signal, precise accuracy, and better protection against jamming. The HIGPS system also offers the potential to provide centimeter-level location data, which is much better than the current GPS devices relied on, which offer location within meters, according to Boeing officials.

The program is included in the Navy’s research budget for Common Picture Advanced Technology, which shows the capabilities of Iridium satellites to improve the navigation and timing capabilities of GPS as we know it today. Experts at the Boeing Phantom Works Advanced Network and Space Systems segment in St. Louis traveled to work with the engineers in Huntington Beach. Also working on this first phase: Iridium Communications Inc.; Rockwell Collins; and Coherent Navigation.

This new contract is for a two-year program to optimize the HIGPS technology developed in the first phase of the program. The Navy says they will be working to make the system fully operational.

GPS in a Jam

November 4th, 2012

Although illegal in the United States, GPS jammers are nevertheless easily acquired, mainly online from overseas makers, at a relatively low price. One store in Sweden is even called the Jammer Store. Chinese-made jam devices can be purchased for under $50 and can block signals up to 100 feet. Though not a significant distance, the repercussions often extend beyond the intended outcome. And jammers are used for a wide array of reasons, from theft to practical jokes on cell phone users who suddenly find that they have no signal. When it comes to the military, however, jamming a GPS signal is no laughing matter.

Over the last two years, cooperative Unites States and South Korean military training operations on South Korean soil have been hampered by North Korea’s jamming their GPS devices on three different occasions. Using jamming gear made in Russia and mounted on a truck near the border, North Korea sent out powerful and intense radio signals using the same frequency as the military’s GPS satellites to scramble and negate the signal they needed to convey accurate data. One incident in April 2012 not only interrupted the military exercises, but it also disrupted air traffic at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, forcing pilots to switch over to an older navigation system to safely land and maneuver the skies. Even cars on the ground were affected.

Jamming devices are easily located and disabled because of the powerful signal they give off, but sensitive military operations can be compromised with even a momentary interruption of GPS location information, giving North Korea the upper hand against a more technologically advanced country. Of greater concern to the United States are the rumors that North Korea may be developing better jamming devices of its own. With global positioning system satellites more than 22,000 miles above the earth, it does not take much interference to scramble the signal. In response, the Air Force Space Command is working on jam-resistant GPS satellites.

The GPS signals used by the military are ten times stronger than those used by civilians, making North Korea’s successful jam sessions of utmost concern. It is not just a matter of truckers trying to avoid speed traps, spouses trying to maintain privacy, thieves trying to steal property, or pranksters getting a chuckle out of unsuspecting bystanders. The ability to withstand GPS jamming is a matter of national security.