AEDC personnel reflect on Complex’s support of GPS

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  The Global Positioning System (GPS) achieved full-operational capability July 17, 1995, and as the U.S. Air Force celebrated this anniversary, AEDC engineers also reflected on the Complex's role in the testing and development of the system.

The final acceptance and qualification tests for the Navstar GPS were completed in the Mark I space chamber at AEDC in 1977. Testing for GPS continued at AEDC into the mid-to-late 1980s, when thermal qualification and engineering design tests on a prototype of the Block II Navstar GPS satellite. Since that time life extension review and certification of systems has also taken place at the Complex.

During its initial launch in 1978, officials had already envisioned the GPS as a 24-satellite radio navigational network that would permit military aircraft, ships and ground units to determine their position within approximately 10 meters in three dimensions and offer continuous global coverage for all-weather use.

Primary program objectives of the tests conducted at AEDC were certification of the satellite's thermal control system, verification of the vehicle's operational systems and identification of any potential defects. Every operating system aboard the satellite was tested under simulated space conditions with the exception of the rocket motor that positioned it in its final orbit.

Though once used predominantly for military operations, GPS has been integrated into most aspects of human activity.

"It is amazing how people continue to find new and innovative uses for the GPS signal," said Micah Walter-Range, the Space Foundation director of research and analysis.

"GPS can be used on a personal level for summoning a taxi or ridesharing service to your precise location, or for letting your 'smart home' devices know when you are near your house so they can be ready and waiting for you," he said. "Businesses also rely heavily on the precision timing of the GPS signal, which enables companies to capitalize on the reliability and accuracy of an atomic clock for a relatively low cost."

Jim Burns, aerospace engineer with the AEDC Space and Missile Test Branch, stated being a part of the research and development of GPS was a proud accomplishment for personnel at AEDC because they knew it would be revolutionary.

"I believe many of those at the time did know they were changing the world," Burns said. "That's why many of us work here, and at the rest of the Air Force Test Center and Air Force Research Laboratory, because we want to change the world.  It just takes the rest of the world years to catch up." 

Air Force Space Command continues to enhance the GPS signal through technology upgrades. It's anticipated that GPS III will launch in 2017 and be a more reliable vehicle with a longer mission life, complete with multiple signals to support military and civilian users.