GNSS

UAS for GPS-denied environments

The Pentagon in the USA has been pushing for the development of autonomous unmanned vehicles for a while. Now, it wants them to operate autonomously even when GPS signals are degraded.

The Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center plans to use a think-tank and skunk-works approach (the latter a reference to Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs) to “identify, invest, mature, and transition revolutionary/gamechanging autonomous unmanned sensing technologies.”

ARDEC’s objectives include analysis and assessments, technology demonstration efforts to determine technical risks, and system integration requirements of existing and previously developed autonomous UAS. Ultimately, the program wants to expand the capabilities of GPS-denied autonomous sensing and collaborating architectures.

The notice makes clear that precision mapping, location, target detection, tracking and collaboration capabilities that work where GPS signals are denied are a requirement for today autonomous UAS sensing technologies, though they also open a pathway for new methods of sensing in existing and emerging threats. https://defensesystems.com/

Chinese BeiDou BDS to transfer satellite tech. to Iran

Under an MoU signed Between Iran’s IEI and Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), China will transfer its BDS technology to Iran. Under the memorandum, China will establish BeiDou ground stations in Iran, and Iran Electronics Industries (IEI, AKA Sa Iran) will found a center for space data collection. http://en.mehrnews.com

GLONASS & BeiDou to make satnav system parts together

China’s BeiDou navigation satellite system and Russia’s GLONASS plan to join forces and build a production facility. According to Dy. Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, it is planned that the facility for production of receiver modules and chipsets will be based in Russia. https://www.rt.com/

GPS III Launch Services RFP Released by Air Force

The U.S. Air Force GPS Directorate released a final request for proposal (RFP) for GPS III Launch Services in September’2015. Launch services include launch vehicle production, mission integration, and launch operations for a GPS III mission scheduled to launch in 2018. After evaluating proposals through a competitive, best-value source selection process, the Air Force will award a firm-fixed price contract that will provide the government with a total launch solution for the GPS III satellite.

China Launches 20th BeiDou Satellite

China launched a new-generation satellite into orbit that will support its GNSS network on September 30, 2015. According to the China state news agency Xinhua, the spacecraft was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan on a Long March-3B carrier rocket. It was the 20th satellite for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and for the first time featured a hydrogen atomic clock

All 7 IRNSS Navigation Satellites to Be in Orbit by March: Isro

Press Trust of India , 8 October 2015 All the seven satellites of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) are expected to be in orbit by March 2016,Indian Space Research Organisation said recently. ISRO also aims to make signals available not only to India and surrounding countries,but also to the entire globe, ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumarsaid.

GSAT-15 satellite with GAGAN payload is slated for launch by November 10, he said.The space agency chief said “in this backdrop the activities are going on the way we need to take forward the objective of self-reliance. Not only self-reliance, but also trying to provide, extend the process of making this signals available not only within and surrounding our country, but also looking around the globe is also one of the important aspect we will be looking at.”India has entered into the real mof satellite-based navigation with its two “pioneering” projects GAGAN and IRNSS, offi cials said.http://gadgets.ndtv.com/