Jay Clemens
Exelis has demonstrated six transmitter assemblies that are built to function as payload components for the U.S. Air Force’s first set of GPS satellites.
The transmitters were tested in a simulated space environment for random vibration, pyroshock and thermal vacuum to qualify for the GPS III’s mission requirements, Exelis said Tuesday.
McLean, Va.-based Exelis built the transmitters to send GPS signals between space and Earth for military, commercial and civilian users.
Mark Pisani, vice president and general manager of positioning, navigation and timing business area for Exelis Geospatial Systems, said the navigation payload transmitters will be replicated for the next space vehicles.
The GPS III team led by the Air Force’s GPS directorate is developing the navigation payload in Clifton, N.J.
