GPS III SV04 Receives Operational Acceptance

[GPSrChive]

The fourth GPS III satellite, space vehicle (SV) 04, received United States Space Force’s Operational Acceptance approval on Dec. 1.

“With the onset of SV04, the GPS constellation continues moving forward in next generation modernization,” said Capt. Collin Dart, the 2 SOPS DOA flight commander. “The 2nd Space Operations Squadron is one step closer to providing military code (M-code) capability for the entire 24 satellite baseline.”

SV04 also sets a new standard for handover from contractor Lockheed Martin’s launch team to operational acceptance, setting the satellite healthy to the global user community approximately 30 days post launch, according to Dart. “Moving forward with future GPS III launches, the timeline between launch and the satellite being set healthy will be at a minimum,” he said.

GPS III SV04 joins this operational constellation of 31 GPS satellites orbiting in medium-Earth orbit. The system delivers improved accuracy, advanced anti-jam capabilities and increased resiliency for the GPS III constellation.

Full Story: gpsworld