The US launched a new GPS III satellite after record short preparations

The US cosmic forces carried out a successful start of the new GPS III satellite, which was taken to orbit by the Falcon 9 rocket with Cape Canaveral. The mission showed that the army is able to shorten the preparation time for the standard 18-24 months to less than three – emphasized the UPI agency.

The new satellite offers three times more accuracy and eight times higher resistance to interference. Thanks to this, it improves navigation precision and time synchronization, which is crucial for both the army and civil users.

The commander of the SPOC MD 31 unit, Col. Andrew Menschner, emphasized that the rapid launch of the satellite shows the ability of space forces to respond to sudden events, e.g. failures of other GPS satellites. He added that each new start increases the accuracy and reliability of the entire constellation of GPS satellites.

Currently, this system consists of 31 active satellites, seven reserve satellites and two ready to take off. The goal is to provide stable services for billions of users around the world.

SPOC MD 31 is a unit of US space forces dealing with satellite navigation and precise time. Is responsible for managing the GPS system and its development. The unit was founded in 2024 and consists of several teams, which deal with, among others satellite operations, development of new technologies and maintenance of the GPS system.

From New York Andrzej Dobrowolski (PAP)

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