GPS World, June 2017

SYSTEM SYSTEMS OF 6 GPS WORLD WWW GPSWORLD COM JUNE 2017 Policy and System Developments GPS Galileo GLONASS BeiDou A host of new entrepreneurial and government players entering the space sector created an underlying sense of excitement that a new space race has begun Visitors to the 33rd annual Space Symposium first encountered the imposing reusable Blue Origin spacecraft displayed prominently in front of the exhibit hall It seemed to symbolically punctuate a statement that the space industry landscape is changing and putting long experienced government players and government contract monopolies on notice The 33rd annual Symposium featured more than 180 exhibitors including 38 new international partners and space government and defense officials from more than 30 countries Security Asset A primary theme sounded was development of missions and programs to shore up national cyber and space security Japan for example had previously banned all military use of space assets but the country has established new laws in part due to growing threats from countries such as North Korea Europe also has joined the club of providers of navigation services and formally acknowledged the need to defend its member countries against cyber threats EU Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska noted that Galileo Europes GNSS went live last December In 2016 six Galileo satellites were launched Today 17 leading chipset companies representing more than the 95 of global supply all produce Galileo compatible products Bieńkowska outlined a space strategy for Europe that incentivizes innovation including investment in R D projects but which also prompts Europe to officially view space as a security asset We for the first time recognize that space is a strategic asset and a central element of Europes strategic autonomy Europe must ensure its own security New Private Investment The growing presence of private investment in the space economy also was notable at this years symposium Jeff Bezos Blue Origin is among several entrepreneurial companies Elon Musks SpaceX Space Exploration Technologies and Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic are two others challenging the traditional drivers These new players are upsetting the standard government agency inclination to prefer longstanding relationships over price Now the bid price gaps are too big to ignore Case in point SpaceX has twice in two years won bids to launch GPS III satellites with price as a major factor Digital Tapestry Savings Lockheed Martin Space Systems invited media to tour its Littleton Colorado campus where it is assembling and testing the next generation GPS III satellite constellation The tour hosts emphasized the companys cost and time efficiency innovations We first saw the Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory CHIL where Lockheed is using virtual reality VR technology to plan the design and manufacture of nearly all its aerospace components In one of the largest VR laboratories of its kind engineering teams review 3D models of product designs tooling and facilities Ground Control Block 0 comprising Launch and Checkout to take GPS III satellites into early orbit has all coding complete and testing is wrapping up for delivery Block 1 development is ongoing with the final iteration estimated to be completed in late 2018 Editors note This article highly abridged Read the full version at www gpsworld com wrinn New Players Trigger Burgeoning Space Race by Robin Wrinn Blue Origin rocket on display at Space Symposium