The U.S. Space Force has launched two initiatives aimed at reducing military dependence on traditional GPS systems, which are vulnerable to jamming and spoofing.
On Aug. 12, the Space Force and United Launch Alliance launched the National Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NTS-3, built by L3Harris LHX -0.31%↓ as part of an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Space Systems Command project, allows the service to assess what PNT NTS-3 signals would work on GPS satellites.
While the mission, AFRL’s first major launch since 1977 with NTS-2, is considered a success, at least one industry group says the announcement was “kind of a bitter-sweet celebration” as there were multiple delays and lack of civil use benefits mentioned.
Quantum Navigation Tested Aboard X-37B Spaceplane
In a separate effort, and at our deadline, the Space Force this week is planning to launch and test a quantum-based navigation system aboard its X-37B spaceplane. The service wants to develop a GPS-independent positioning technology by demonstrating a compact quantum inertial navigation unit, which is designed to detect rotation and acceleration using atom interferometry.
