COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Air Pressure Analysis Laboratory and L3Harris will start built-in testing this summer time of an experimental satellite tv for pc with implications for a future hybrid precision, navigation and timing structure.
Navigation Know-how Satellite tv for pc-3 (NTS-3) is being designed to showcase new PNT know-how that might form future upgrades to GPS satellites and inform a attainable new acquisition program to enhance immediately’s constellation. As soon as on orbit in late 2023, the satellite tv for pc will conduct greater than 100 experiments testing completely different know-how, like a digital sign generator that may be reprogrammed on-orbit to broadcast new alerts. The Air Pressure awarded L3Harris an $84 million contract in 2018 to develop the NTS-3 satellite tv for pc.
AFRL has designated NTS-3 as a Vanguard program, which implies it’s a high-priority effort because of the potential affect of the know-how being developed.
Talking throughout a media briefing on the House Symposium, AFRL Commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle stated this summer time’s integration exercise will embody taking part within the Military’s PNT Evaluation Train (PNTAX), which is held yearly to assist inform necessities future necessities and validate ideas. That work, she stated Thursday, will assist this system scale back threat and develop mitigation choices earlier than subsequent yr’s launch.
Joanna Hinks, AFRL’s NTS-3 deputy program supervisor, stated this system is wrapping up integration of the payload with a Northrop Grumman-developed bus and famous that risk-reduction efforts will run in parallel to full system testing, offering “preliminary baseline knowledge” that may get the satellite tv for pc “prepared for primetime.”
Whereas the present constellation of GPS satellites operation in medium-Earth orbit, the NTS-3 satellite tv for pc is destined for geosynchronous orbit. The choice to ship NTS-3 to a distinct orbit — which was really a pivot from the unique plan to fly the experiment in MEO — was made intentionally as a method to take a look at a hybrid PNT structure idea, Hinks stated.
“The thought right here is that we already perceive very properly how satellite tv for pc navigation works in MEO,” Hinks stated. “So, what we are able to do with NTS-3 being in GEO is have a look at how are you going to use a constellation that’s really a hybrid structure.”
She added that working the experiment in GEO doesn’t imply a possible future constellation of those satellites would solely function in that orbit. Quite, it permits this system to show whether or not alerts coming from satellites in a number of orbits can provide a complimentary and improved functionality for customers on the bottom.
That query is essential for House Techniques Command because it considers the best way to incorporate NTS-3 capabilities into its present structure. Cordell DeLaPena, SSC’s program government officer for PNT and army communications, informed C4ISRNET after the panel that the NTS-3 experiment will assist his staff make its case for transitioning the aptitude right into a attainable new program of document.
“That’s why we’re doing this prototyping and experimentation, is to make use of that to help a possible price range choice for a brand new program,” he stated, noting that the House Pressure might have the information it must feed into its price range submission quickly after the satellite tv for pc launches subsequent yr.
“I believe the outcomes are going to be pretty fast,” he stated. “After which all of it depends upon how the priorities play out within the service’s price range for that yr.”
The experiment may also feed right into a House Warfighting Evaluation Heart structure assessment for next-generation PNT, which DeLaPena stated is funded for subsequent yr.
SSC can be working with Lockheed Martin, which is constructing the most recent model of GPS satellites, GPS IIIF, to check choices for injecting new functionality into these satellites, together with know-how demonstrated on NTS-3. The corporate is already on contract for the primary 17 satellites, however DeLaPena informed reporters new capabilities may very well be inserted on later area autos so long as it doesn’t disrupt this system’s schedule.
The PEO is especially focused on a brand new clock task know-how as a attainable add-on functionality for future GPS IIIF satellites, he stated. The task method would enable operators to attract from a number of clocks to get a extra strong timing sign.
The NTS-3 experimentation may also contain floor system and receiver gear. Through the demonstration work, the satellite tv for pc shall be operated by a floor system developed by Parsons. DeLaPena stated that if the service opts to feed some NTS-3 applied sciences into the GPS IIIF program, the system would possible combine with the GPS IIIF Operational Management Phase, OCX IIIF.
The receivers used as a part of NTS-3 shall be software-defined, which might enable customers, throughout battle, to vary the traits of a receiver’s waveform. AFLCMC’s Agile Fight Assist program government workplace manages PNT person gear for the Air Pressure. PEO Lea Kirkwood stated throughout Thursday’s panel stated the shut partnership her staff has with AFRL implies that as soon as the know-how is prepared, “we’ll actually be shifting these wheels ahead to execute a program to get it to the battle fighter.”
Courtney Albon is C4ISRNET’s area and rising know-how reporter. She beforehand lined the U.S. Air Pressure and U.S. House Pressure for Inside Protection.