U.S. Air Force Squeezing Extra Life from GPS Satellites

摘要

The U.S. Air Force's intensifying scramble to do more with less in difficult fiscal circumstances has produced a brewing success story on the GPS program, where engineers are implementing a plan to extend the life of up to 60 percent of the satellites in the positioning, navigation and timing constellation. The plan involves a new charging method that reduces the rate of satellite battery degradation, thereby extending the satellites' lives. The scheme is being successfully tested on orbit, and Air Force officials say that if all continues to go well, the project could add a combined 20 years to the life of the GPS 2R-and 2R(M)-series satellites, which together comprise the backbone of the constellation.