The US Space Force has ended the Resilient GPS research program (or R-GPS) with the addition of smaller ones, cheaper navigation satellites to strengthen the global positioning system (GPS). Представник Космічних системних команд Космічних сил США заявив, that the initial phase of R-GPS is complete and will serve as the basis for future GPS architecture decisions. He also informed, that funding phase 1 programs are not included in the budget 2026 fiscal year due to higher Air Force Department priorities.
In September 2024 Astranis was chosen by the Space Force, L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space to develop concepts for the smaller ones, more cost-effective navigation satellites based on commercial solutions. The goal was to increase GPS sustainability through proliferation and distribution, which would help counter such threats, як глушіння та спуфінг. Міністерство ВПС спочатку описувало R-GPS як нагальну потребу та використовувало прискорені процедури “швидкого старту” для укладання контрактів. Representatives of the Space Forces declared, that are going to select at least one design for on-orbit demonstration in the next phase. Instead, the program ended after the initial research phase.
The space force has not said whether it plans to pursue alternative positioning efforts, navigation and time synchronization to replace R-GPS.
https://spacenews.com/space-force-ends-resilient-gps-satellite-program/