First GPS Ⅲ Satellite Set Healthy

摘要

On 13 January, USAF 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS) set Satellite Vehicle Number-74 as healthy and active.This satellite is the first of the GPS Ⅲ family to join the active constellation. SVN-74, launched on 23 December 2018, will now be available for use by military and civilian GPS users around the world. A 2SOPS Assistant Director explains that various training modules and upgrades were instrumental in making the satellite operational: 'In order to operate GPS Ⅲ, we first had to install Architecture Evolution Plan 8.0.This allowed our Sqn to control the new satellite without a next-generation operational control system (GPS OCX).The Training and evaluations flight was able to expeditiously give our operators top-up training that allowed them to become comfortable with the new satellite.'