RocketSTEM Issue #3 - October 2013 | Page 21

obvious ­ike farming, mining, l operation reached its goals and construction industries. in 1995 – which is incredibly outdated considering the Lockheed Martin is speed at which we have currently contracted to advanced technologically. produce the first four satellites GPS III is a significant in the GPS III constellation program for the Air Force, (SV 01­ 4), and has received 0 as it will replace these aging procurement funding for satellites and strengthen long­ lead components for their ability to meet the the fifth, sixth, seventh and growing demands of military, eighth satellites (SV 05­ 08). commercial and civilian Lockheed Martin is the prime users. Accuracy of the contractor on the project, satellites will be three times and the Global Positioning greater and they will include Systems Directorate at the enhancements that extend U.S. Air Force Space and the life of the spacecraft Missile Systems Center leads 25% further than that of their the GPS III team. predecessors Today, Lockheed Martin In order to fully has grown into a company that employs around 118,000 comprehend the significant people around the globe. impact this constellation of It continues to stand out satellites has on our daily amongst its competitors, as activities, let’s take a look at what would happen if The fully-integrated MUOS satellite is encapsulated in the it has been the brains behind the current GPS satellites launch vehicle payload fairing. Image: Lockheed Martin many indispensable projects. This legacy the Lockheed ceased to exist with no even know about, such as ATM brothers and Glenn L. Martin replacement. Take into consideration this fact: our global machines.You will find it rooted set in motion so many years ago, infrastructure is dependent on GPS in nearly every U.S. military asset is alive and blossoming. It is hard technology ­without it, we would you can think of that keeps our to comprehend that it came from crumble. It is a necessity and our armed forces safe and effective. such humble beginnings when it world is entirely dependent on it Increased productivity is boosted has turned into a dominant player to function properly. Not only is it over an enormous fraction of our in this industry. relied on by a plethora of different economy; from aviation, roads For more information about networks for communications, it is and highways, and surveying –