The US Space Force is planning a transformative shift in its GPS satellite fleet, aiming for smaller, cheaper, and more resilient spacecraft by collaborating with both commercial and defense firms. Four companies, Sierra Space, L3Harris, Astranis, and Axient (recently acquired by Astrion), have secured contracts to develop early concept designs for the Resilient GPS program, with a selection process for finalizing designs and building prototypes set to occur within the next five to eight months. This initiative, costing an estimated $1 billion over five years, addresses the growing concerns over GPS vulnerabilities highlighted by frequent signal jamming and spoofing incidents, notably by Russian forces in Ukraine. The program envisions a cost per satellite between $50 and $80 million, significantly less than the current $250 million GPS satellites, facilitating the launch of numerous satellites with shorter operational lifespans but faster upgrade capabilities. Through this approach, the Space Force aims to enhance the resilience of its GPS capabilities, ensuring robust backup systems and adapting faster to evolving threats.
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