GPS III satellite propulsion under US Air Force review
The U.S. Air Force has opened a review of the propulsion systems used for Lockheed Martin’s GPS III and other military satellites after a problem during an attempt to boost one into orbit, according to the service, Bloomberg reports.
The review has delayed the Air Force’s acceptance of Lockheed’s first GPS III satellite, which is 34 months late. The most recent delivery goal had been Feb. 28, and the plan remains to launch it by spring of 2018.
While there’s no evidence that the propulsion system on the first GPS III satellite has a flaw, the Air Force has decided to keep it in storage at a Lockheed facility out of an abundance of caution, Captain AnnMarie Annicelli, an Air Force spokeswoman, told Bloomberg. It was placed into storage after having successfully completed all planned test and integration activities.
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