US working on a program to orbit the new-generation satellites. Officially, we are talking about navigation satellites, which belong to the GPS III generation. This group will initially consist of 10 satellites, and subsequently to be expanded to 32-x.
The contract for the implementation of the program awarded to Lockheed Martin. Its cost is 7,2 billion. The contract was offered to sign a US Air Force.
Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson:
These new-generation satellites will provide improved accuracy. They are more protected from interference, their work is more stable than that, which carry satellites, already in orbit. The whole world today depends on our GPS Systems. Even the trade on the stock exchange or withdrawals from an ATM today is conducted through a system of global navigation. Because improve this system - the most important task.
The picture shows the apparatus of MarCO program – CubeSats
Recall, that the main competitor is the Russian GPS global positioning system GLONASS. The Russian system is replenished with modern spacecraft in accordance with the plan. So, in "Information Satellite Systems" im.M.Reshetneva (manufacturer of GLONASS satellites) Roskosmos proposed system of another satellite "GLONASS-M" launch in November this year.
At this point in the orbital grouping of GLONASS 26 satellites, one of which passes flight tests, and another is in the process of commissioning.
