GPS

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

MICHIBIKI successfully launched

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite “MICHIBIKI” by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 28 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the MICHIBIKI was confirmed.

www.jaxa.jp

First GPS IIF Satellite set healthy

Officials from the Space and Missile Systems Center’s GPS Wing announced that the first GPS IIF satellite (SVN-62) has been set healthy to navigation and timing users worldwide.

www.losangeles.af.mil

Flex Power test for GPS wraps up

The 2nd Space Operations Squadron has conducted a Flex Power Integration Assessment of the GPS space and control segments to confirm functionality delivered in AEP 5.5.0D – a recent software upgrade that will enable the ground system to command and control the new GPS IIF satellite.

www.afspc.af.mil

Three more GLONASS satellites put into orbit

Three GLONASS satellites have been put into orbit. “The launch and flight of the carrier rocket, as well as the separation of the satellites, took place on schedule,” said Alexei Zolotukhin spokesman for the Russian Space Forces. He also said the satellites’ onboard systems were working well. Only two out of these three satellites will be put into operation. The third will be kept in reserve.

http://en.rian.ru

Satellite Navigation steers unmanned Micro-Planes

An unmanned aircraft system guided by satnav has been developed within ESA’s Business Incubation Centre to provide rapid monitoring of land areas and disaster zones. MAVinci, Germany has developed the new system that uses autonomous micro-air vehicles (MAVs) with a wingspan of less than two meters, to inspect land areas. The autopilot controls the aircraft from takeoff to landing, and uses satnav to follow a planned track, triggering the camera to image the target area.

www.mavinci.de

BrahMos missile using Glonass receivers

BrahMos Aerospace Ltd., a Russian-Indian joint venture manufacturing supersonic cruise missiles, is successfully using Glonass receivers for aiming and target acquisition.

http://en.rian.ru