Launch of First GPS 3 Satellite Now Not Expected Until 2017

The first of the U.S. Air Force’s newest generation of positioning, navigation and timing satellites is now expected to launch in 2017 rather than in 2016 as previously expected, according to an official with Lockheed Martin, the program’s prime contractor. Mark Valerio, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s military space business, said while he is preparing the first GPS 3 satellite to be available for launch as early as the end of this year, he expects the Air Force will slot the satellite to launch in the first quarter of 2017. Accommodating a 2017 launch date likely would require placing the satellite into short-term storage, he said. More

(Source: Space News - Feb 25)