GPS Block II Satellite. (Boeing)
US Space Force (USSF) officials are aiming to fast-track prototype development of a new GPS resiliency initiative, designed to bolster the current network of space-based military and civilian GPS capabilities.
Programme leaders from USSF's Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded design concept contracts to L3Harris, Sierra Space, Astranis, and Axient for the first iteration of Lite Evolving Augmented Proliferation (LEAP) GPS small-satellite development process under the space service's Resilient GPS (R-GPS) programme.
“The importance of [GPS] resilience can't be overstated as we work to address the new challenges” facing the US and its allies in the space domain, USSF Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman said. “R-GPS is one way we're working to ensure access to critical Positioning, Navigation and Timing capabilities, for the warfighter and civil users alike,” the four-star general added in an SSC statement issued in September.
Under the R-GPS concept, USSF would augment current and future GPS constellations with “proliferated small satellites transmitting a core set of widely utilized GPS signals”, according to service officials.
By having a series of small-satellite constellations acting as a backup to military and civilian GPS networks, that backup small-satellite network would be able to maintain signal connectivity should one of the larger GPS constellations be degraded or taken offline.
“The decision to pursue R-GPS was based upon outcomes of recent resilience studies recommending an additional proliferated fleet of small GPS satellites,” according to the SSC statement. Since the R-GPS small satellite networks would be supporting commercial and military GPS constellations, SSC programme officials opted to leverage “a mix of traditional and non-traditional defense space companies” for the first round of LEAP satellite development.
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