Next-gen GPS ground system expected to come online this summer: Calvelli

Next-gen GPS ground system expected to come online this summer: Calvelli
Next-gen GPS ground system expected to come online this summer: Calvelli

“Big software developments fail,” said Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli. “You have to go to smaller systems.”

Prodded by GAO, Space Force reconsiders future military-use GPS constellation, receivers

Prodded by GAO, Space Force reconsiders future military-use GPS constellation, receivers
Prodded by GAO, Space Force reconsiders future military-use GPS constellation, receivers

The Space Force has set contradictory requirements for the number of M-code capable GPS satellites, the Government Accountability Office found.

‘Worst thing in the world’: Space acquisition leaders target satellite ground system gaps

‘Worst thing in the world’: Space acquisition leaders target satellite ground system gaps
‘Worst thing in the world’: Space acquisition leaders target satellite ground system gaps

“These albatrosses [have been] dragging the department down for decades. This is the year we are going to get these programs delivered,” said Frank Calvelli, space acquisition head.

EXCLUSIVE: With new ‘scorecard,’ Space Force’s acquisition chief talks changing culture

EXCLUSIVE: With new ‘scorecard,’ Space Force’s acquisition chief talks changing culture
EXCLUSIVE: With new ‘scorecard,’ Space Force’s acquisition chief talks changing culture

In addition to providing new “tenets” for Space Force officials, “I’m really messaging three things to industry — that I really want them to give me credible proposals, and I really want them to execute, and I’m not going to tolerate poor performance,” Frank Calvelli told Breaking Defense.

Getting lost: Yet more delays to Space Force protected GPS program

Getting lost: Yet more delays to Space Force protected GPS program
Getting lost: Yet more delays to Space Force protected GPS program

Some services have turned to commercial solutions for receivers as delays mount, report says.

GPS III Launch Will Provide Global M-Code

GPS III Launch Will Provide Global M-Code
GPS III Launch Will Provide Global M-Code

“OCX and the user equipment piece do not come online until the third quarter of 2023; that is when we would expect to have our initial operational capability for the GPS enterprise across across all segments: space, ground and user equipment,” said Space and Missile Command’s Col. Ed Byrne.

OCX On Track, Says Raytheon; Begins New Upgrade

OCX On Track, Says Raytheon; Begins New Upgrade
OCX On Track, Says Raytheon; Begins New Upgrade

Once delivered and accepted, Space Force will own the OCX software-based ground system for GPS, not Raytheon.

Hypersonics: SDA, Space Force Focus On Laser Links For Kill Chain

Hypersonics: SDA, Space Force Focus On Laser Links For Kill Chain
Hypersonics: SDA, Space Force Focus On Laser Links For Kill Chain

SDA currently is primarily focused on “beyond-line-of-sight targeting for sensitive targets — so, for ships and mobile missiles,” Director Derek Tournear says, as well as for “advanced missile threats.”

Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions

Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions
Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions

“I don’t think we’re at the position to know both what the demand is, but also where industry is going, what’s the viable way to consider other orbits if we were asked to do,” says Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of SMC’s Space Vehicles Directorate.

SMC Saves $53M Reusing SpaceX Boosters For GPS III

SMC Saves $53M Reusing SpaceX Boosters For GPS III
SMC Saves $53M Reusing SpaceX Boosters For GPS III

SpaceX has launched with a previously used Falcon 9 booster 38 times, says Michael Ellis, director at SpaceX’s National Security Space Launch director.

GPS Anti-Jam M-Code Takes Two Steps Forward

GPS Anti-Jam M-Code Takes Two Steps Forward
GPS Anti-Jam M-Code Takes Two Steps Forward

Once 24 GPS III satellites are on orbit, the encrypted M-Code for military users will be available world wide.

2019 Space Economy Solid; Pandemic A Double-Edged Sword

2019 Space Economy Solid; Pandemic A Double-Edged Sword
2019 Space Economy Solid; Pandemic A Double-Edged Sword

SIA is hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will have only limited effects on the satellite industry, since it has been “generally deemed essential by governments.”

SASC Wants Alternative GPS By 2023

SASC Wants Alternative GPS By 2023
SASC Wants Alternative GPS By 2023

“I think this shows that the committee is taking the jamming and spoofing threats to GPS seriously, and it is prompting DoD to focus its efforts on countering these threats,” Todd Harrison, director of the Defense Aerospace Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says.

HASC, SASC Aim To Add Third NatSec Launch Provider

HASC, SASC Aim To Add Third NatSec Launch Provider
HASC, SASC Aim To Add Third NatSec Launch Provider

The HASC chair’s markup chides the GPS III program for “unjustified cost growth” in both Lockheed Martin’s GEO-based space segment and Raytheon’s OCX.