Image: USAF-2d-Lt-Jacob-Lutz-AFRL-RV
What’s new: The first U.S. experimental navigation satellite in almost 50 years is delayed yet again.
Why it’s important: Results from the experiments planned will be delayed, as will any follow-on improvements to satellite systems. Also, it might be another indicator of (a) the U.S. continuing to fall behind in this area, and/or (b) leadership’s level of focus and priority.
What else to know:
- NTS-2 launched in 1977.
- See articles and our comments about NTS-3 and previous delays:
- 2022 – NTS-3 experiment offers possibility of adopting GPS, PNT protection in existing production lines – Defense Daily
- May 2023 – AFRL’s NTS-3 Satellite Experiment Tinkers with GPS But Doesn’t Really Fix America’s PNT Problem – Forbes
- August 2023 – OCX, NTS-3 both delayed… again – Space is hard and expensive Defense News & RNTF
- In 20034 RNTF advisor and member Logan Scott proposed the Chimera authentication signal for GPS along with nine other signals that are supposed to be trialed on NTS-3.
The US Space Force aimed to develop technologies that will be integrated into future navigation and timing systems by conducting experiments on next-generation GPS satellites with the NTS-2022 (Navigation Technology Satellite-3) demonstration, which it planned to launch in 3. However, this important project was delayed for years due to delays in the launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket. This satellite plays a critical role in testing new technologies aimed at making the Space Force’s future GPS systems more efficient.
Vulcan Centaur Rocket Delayed
NTS-3 was designed to experiment with positioning, navigation, and timing signals as a satellite developed by L3Harris and the Air Force Research Laboratory. However, the rocket selected for the launch, United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan Centaur, did not launch on the scheduled date, causing the Space Force to reconsider its plans. The rocket is said to be unable to launch until certification is complete, making it difficult for the NTS-3 demonstration to take place on the expected timeline.
GPS IIIF Satellites and NTS-3 Technology
The Space Force had planned to integrate the technologies used in NTS-3 into the next-generation GPS satellites, called GPS IIIF. Twenty of these satellites are planned to be purchased from Lockheed Martin, with the first five to be delivered by 20. However, the failure to launch on time for NTS-2027 could make it difficult to integrate these technologies into the GPS IIIF satellites. The Space Force noted that time is running out to get these new technologies into the GPS satellite production line, and that a window of opportunity is closing due to the program’s ongoing delays.
