The primary payload for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation GPS 3 navigation satellites recently was cleared for production even as the service contemplates slowing down the program based on the health of the current GPS constellation.
The U.S. Department of Defense, in a 2010 budget reprogramming package submitted to Congress July 2, is seeking permission to redirect $2.7 million that had been appropriated for GPS 3 parts procurement to other activities. It is not clear whether the request has any connection to a possible slowdown of the program.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and GPS III contractor team are due to conduct a critical design review in August, which would clear the way for production to begin.
The primary navigation payload - being supplied by ITT Geospatial Systems - has already cleared critical design review, and production of a prototype has started...
Full details at spacenews.com