{"id":68935,"date":"2025-03-21T18:05:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T18:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2025\/03\/21\/launch-delays-hamper-near-term-impact-of-gps-experimentation-program\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:20:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:20:50","slug":"launch-delays-hamper-near-term-impact-of-gps-experimentation-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2025\/03\/21\/launch-delays-hamper-near-term-impact-of-gps-experimentation-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Launch delays hamper near-term impact of GPS experimentation program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Space Force is looking for ways to experiment with new technologies on its next-generation GPS satellites, but persistent delays to a key demonstration program could limit its options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The service planned to launch<\/a> the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 demonstration, dubbed NTS-3, in 2022 with an eye toward experimenting with new positioning, navigation and timing signals and payloads that could be installed on future GPS satellites and shape its long-term plans for the constellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The satellite\u2019s development, led by the Air Force Research Lab and L3Harris, has proceeded on schedule, but delays to the rocket assigned to fly the spacecraft<\/a> \u2014 United Launch Alliance\u2019s new Vulcan Centaur \u2014 have stalled the program for years. The mission is slated to fly on Vulcan\u2019s first national security launch this year, but those plans are on hold as the company awaits final certification from the Space Force<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cordell DeLaPena, who oversees the Space Systems Center\u2019s positioning, navigation and timing and satellite communications portfolios, said the service is weighing its options for how to proceed with integrating NTS-3 technology into upcoming GPS production lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe longer it takes to actually launch those experiments, get the data and be able to assess it, the window starts to close on the availability of production vehicles,\u201d he told Defense News in an interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Space Force had intended to funnel NTS-3-proven capabilities into the production line for its latest variant of GPS satellites, dubbed GPS IIIF. The service plans to buy 20 of these satellites from Lockheed Martin and, to date, has ordered 10. The first five of those spacecraft are slated for deliveries over a five-year period beginning in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\t