Navigation satellite, developed by Sierra Space for the US Space Force, passed the inspection, which the company announced 16 January.
Sierra Space, located in Colorado, is one of the four companies, selected to participate in the Resilient Global Positioning System program (R-GPS), which aims to augment the existing fleet of GPS satellites with a fleet of smaller and more affordable satellites. Other competitors are Astranis, Axient і L3Harris.
IN 2026 2018, the Space Force plans to choose a winner from two companies for the production of eight satellites, the launch of which is scheduled for 2028 year. These satellites will complement the GPS grouping with 31 satellite, which is now in orbit, in order to provide global navigational coverage amid concerns about potential threats from competing countries.
Sierra Space stated, that its R-GPS design has successfully passed the system requirements review, which defines, whether the technical and operational characteristics of the satellite meet the objectives of the program. Eric Dehler, vice president of defense, satellites and spacecraft systems at Sierra Space, said, що проходження цієї віхи додасть компанії впевненості в просуванні програми.
The R-GPS program has started under Fast Start requirements, mechanism defined by Congress, which allows the Ministry of Defense to accelerate priority initiatives. Program, headed by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, aimed at deploying smaller satellites with fewer payloads in addition to traditional GPS satellites, created by Lockheed Martin, the price of which is 500 millions of dollars.
Expected, that R-GPS satellites will cost from 50 to 80 million dollars each. Over time, the program may expand to 24 satellites.
Sierra Space is looking to expand its military satellite business. In addition to participating in R-GPS, the company executes a contract for satellites with missile tracking functions within the Tranche tracking layer 2 Space Development Agency. in addition, the company invested in production facilities with an area of 60 000 square feet, designed for mass production of satellites.
Source: https://spacenews.com/sierra-space-satellite-passes-milestone-in-space-force-program/