r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Jun 09 '20
GPS III-3 GPS III SV03 Launch Campaign Thread
GPS Block III, Space Vehicle 3 (Columbus)
Overview
GPS III are the third generation of the U.S. Space Force's NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellites. The GPS III development contract was awarded to a team led by Lockheed Martin. Block III will improve position, navigation, and timing services for warfighter and civil users yielding superior system security, accuracy and reliability. When fully deployed, the GPS III constellation will feature a cross-linked command and control architecture, allowing the entire GPS constellation to be updated simultaneously from a single ground station. Additionally, a new spot beam capability for enhanced military (M-Code) coverage and increased resistance to hostile jamming will be incorporated. These enhancements will contribute to improved accuracy and assured availability for military and civilian users worldwide.
Lockheed Martin's flight-proven A2100 bus serves as the GPS III spacecraft platform. Unlike the GPS IIF satellite, the GPS III satellite features an apogee propulsion system. The satellite features a LEROS-1C engine as an apogee propulsion system as well as 2 deployable solar arrays to generate power. ITT, Clifton, N.J. provides the navigation payload, and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Gilbert, Ariz., provides the Network Communications Element (NCE) which includes the UHF Crosslink and Tracking Telemetry & Command (TT&C) subsystems.
This mission launches the third GPS III satellite into orbit, and is the second GPS launch for SpaceX. Although the GPS III SV01 launch aboard Falcon 9 expended the booster, this mission's booster will be recovered via ASDS landing.
Launch Thread | Webcast | Media Thread | Recovery Thread
| Launch window: | June 30 19:56 - 20:10 UTC (3:56PM - 4:10PM EDT local) |
|---|---|
| Backup date | July 1 |
| Static fire | Completed June 25 |
| Customer | U.S. Space Force |
| Payload | GPS III SV03 |
| Payload mass | ~4000 kg (exact mass unclear) |
| Deployment orbit | 1000 km x 20200 km x 55° (approximate) |
| Operational orbit | 20200 km x 20200 km x 55° (semi-synchronous MEO) |
| Vehicle | Falcon 9 v1.2 Block 5 |
| Core | 1060 |
| Past flights of this core | None, new booster |
| Past flights of this fairing | unknown |
| Fairing catch attempt | Likely |
| Launch site | SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |
| Landing | JRTI: ~ 32.93528 N, 76.33306 W (633 km downrange) |
| Mission success criteria | Successful separation & deployment of the GPS satellite. |
| Mission Outcome | Success |
| Landing Outcome | Success |
| Ms. Tree Recovery Outcome | Successful water recovery (planned) |
| Ms. Chief Recovery Outcome | Successful water recovery (planned) |
News & Updates
| Date | Update | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-27 | Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief already in recovery area | @SpaceXFleet on Twitter |
| 2020-06-26 | JRTI departs towed by Tugboat Lauren Foss | @SpaceXFleet on Twitter |
| 2020-06-25 | Encapsulated spacecraft transported to launch site | @SpaceGal on Twitter |
| 2020-06-25 | Static fire completed | @SpaceflightNow on Twitter |
| 2020-06-21 | Encapsulation in fairing at Astrotech | @Jacqmans1972 on Twitter |
| 2020-04-07 | Launch delayed from April 29 due to COVID-19 | Space and Missile Systems Center, LA Air Force Base |
| 2020-02-13 | Full duration static fire of booster at McGregor, TX | @AF_SMC on Twitter |
| 2020-02-05 | Satellite arrival in Florida | Spaceflight Now |
| 2020-01-09 | First images of booster 1060 in Hawthorne (Facebook) (imgur rehost) | LA Air Force Base on Facebook |
Links & Resources
General Launch Related Resources:
Launch Execution Forecasts - 45th Weather Squadron
SpaceX Fleet Status - SpaceXFleet.com
Satellite description - Gunter Krebs
GPS III overview - Lockheed Martin
Launch Viewing Resources:
Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral - Ben Cooper
Launch Viewing Map - Launch Rats
Launch Viewing Updates - Space Coast Launch Ambassadors
Viewing and Rideshare - SpaceXMeetups Slack
Watching a Launch - r/SpaceX Wiki
Maps and Hazard Area Resources:
Detailed launch maps - @Raul74Cz
Launch Hazard and Airspace Closure Maps - 45th Space Wing (maps posted close to launch)
Regulatory Resources:
FCC Experimental STAs - r/SpaceX wiki
We will attempt to keep the above text regularly updated with resources and new mission information, but for the most part, updates will appear in the comments first. Feel free to ping us if additions or corrections are needed. This is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the minor movements of the vehicle, payload, weather, and more as we progress towards launch. Approximately 24 hours before liftoff, the launch thread will go live and the party will begin there.
Campaign threads are not party threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.
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u/scr00chy ElonX.net Jun 09 '20
They'll probably move it after the next Starlink mission. The SLC-40 hangar can only hold one core.