NASA launches a Deep Space Atomic Clock
NASA launches Deep Space Atomic Clock on the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched on June 24. It is similar to the atomic clocks found in GPS satellites but 50 times more stable. The technology will be a critical part of onboard navigation systems for future spacecraft and will …

China launches BeiDou satellite
China launched a new satellite for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite was launched on a Long March-3C carrier rocket, and is also the fourth BDS-2 backup satellite and 45th satellite of the BDS satellite family. www.satellitetoday.com
$4.6 million to be invested in …

Another Beidou navigation satellite successfully launched
Another satellite to join the China’s independent global navigation network successfully launched from the mountainous Xichang spaceport in the southwest of the country. With this, China has launched 44 Beidou satellites since 2000, including test models no longer in operation, and previous-generation spacecraft that provided regional navigation coverage over …

UK makes major breakthrough in atomic clocks
Researchers from the Emergent Photonics Lab (EPic Lab) at the University of Sussex have made a breakthrough in developing atomic clocks, which could mean accessing a satellite signal would be unnecessary. Dr Alessia Pasquazi from the EPic Lab explained the breakthrough:
“With a portable atomic clock, an ambulance, …

Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering for GPS pioneers
This year’s £1m QE Engineering Prize has been won by four individuals who played key roles in developing GPS. The Americans Brad Parkinson, James Spilker Jr, Hugo Fruehauf, and Richard Schwartz were all present at the London ceremony held to announce the honour.
Dr Parkinson said it …

Lockheed Martin looking forward to explore GPS III capabilities
Lockheed Martin launched its first GPS III satellite and confirms that the unit is communicating efficiently with ground-control operators.
The GPS III program involves new ground stations and new, higher-power satellites, with additional navigation signals for both civilian and military users, and aims to improve the …

Dr Gladys West inducted into Air Force Pioneers Hall of Fame

An 87-year-old doctor whose programming of accurate earth models led to the current GPS system has been inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame. Dr. Gladys West was presented with the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers award for her …

FCC approves use of Galileo GNSS in the US
The FCC has granted in part the European Commission’s request for a waiver of Commission rules so that nonfederal devices in the US may access specific signals transmitted from the Galileo. While private users were free to use the European GNSS, with this ruling entity such as …

Dr Yu Jiao receives Parkinson Award
The Institute of Navigation’s (ION) Satellite Division presented Dr. Yu Jiao with its Bradford W. Parkinson Award on September 28, 2018 at the ION GNSS+ Conference (Miami, Florida).
Dr. Jiao was recognized for graduate student excellence in Global Navigation Satellite Systems in her thesis, “Low- Latitude Ionospheric Scintillation Signal …

USAF Announces selection of GPS III follow-on contract
The U.S. Air Force announced selection of Lockheed Martin for a fixed-price-type production contract for 22 GPS III Follow- On satellites with a total estimated contract value up to $7.2 billion.
The Air Force operates a total of 77 satellites vital to US national security that provide …