GPS MISSION DIRECTORY

The following directory lists chronologically, the space missions that have included a GPS receiver or receivers for any number of reasons. The directory is be no means to be taken as an all-inclusive listing of spaceborne GPS missions flown, but rather as a comprehensive directory of missions that have been cited in scientific literature. Mission descriptions, the capacity that the GPS receiver or receivers are used in, the model of GPS receiver, and references citing the mission are presented. Where available, relevant hyperlinks to mission home pages or other related sites are also given.

Launch date (proposed) Mission Receiver(s)

July 1982

Landsat4

GPSPAC

March 1984

Landsat5

GPSPAC

July 1991

ORBCOMM-X

--

June 1992

EUVE

GPSDR

August 1992

TOPEX/Poseidon

GPSDR

numerous flights

Space Shuttle

TANS

June 1993

RADCAL

TANS Quadrex

July 1993

ORFEUS-SPAS-1

Alcatel/SEL

September 1993

PoSat-1

TANS

February 1994

OREX

GPSDR

March 1994

DARPASAT

AST-V

May 1994

TAOS/STEP-0

AST-V

May 1994

STEP-2

AST-V

August 1994

APEX

TANS Vector

November 1994

CRISTA-SPAS

TANS Vector

(1992 and 1994)

COMET

Ashtech SB24

January 1995

Faisat-1

--

March 1995

SFU

GPSR

April 1995

ORBCOMM-FM1

TANS II

April 1995

ORBCOMM-FM2

TANS II

April 1995

OrbView-1 (formerly MicroLab-1)

TurboStar

August 1995

FASat-Alfa

TANS

September 1995

Wake Shield Facility-02

TurboStar

September 1995

Skipper

TANS II

January 1996

GADACS / SPARTAN OAST Flyer

Two TANS Vectors

May 1996

GANE / STS-77

TANS

May 1996

MSTI-3

Viceroy

May 1996

MOMS-2P

Viceroy

November 1996

HETE

SEXTANT

November 1996

Wake Shield Facility-03

TurboStar

February 1997

HALCA (formerly MUSES-B)

GPS

March 1997

Zeya

GPS and GLONASS

August 1997

OrbView-2 (formerly SeaStar)

redundant Viceroys

August 1997

SSTI Lewis

Two Tensors

September 1997

Faisat-2v

--

September 1997

IRS-1D

--

October 1997

Falcon Gold

TIDGET

October 1997

YES (sub-satellite of TEAMsat satellite)

TANS II

November 1997

ETS-VII

--

December 1997

Equator-S

Viceroy

December 1997

EarlyBird

Vector and Viceroy

February 1998

GFO

Four TurboStars

February 1998

Globalstar

Tensor

February 1998

SNOE

MicroGPS

July 1998

FASat-Bravo

TANS II

July 1998

TMSat-1

SGR-10

October 1998

SEDSat-1

G12

October 1998

ARD

--

November 1998

International Space Station

--

December 1998

SAC-A

--

January 1999

ORSTED

TANS, TurboStar

February 1999

ARGOS

--

February 1999

SUNSAT

TurboStar

April 1999

UoSAT-12

SGR-20

April 1999

Ikonos-1

Rockwell C/A code

April 1999

ABRIXAS

TANS II

May 1999

IRS-P4 (OceanSat)

--

June 1999

QuikSCAT

2 Viceroys

(September 1999)

SRTM

AstroNav

(September 1999)

JAWSAT

TANS Vector

(late 1999)

AMSAT Phase 3D

Two TANS Vectors

(1999)

STRV-C

AstroNav

(1998)

ARISTOTELES

--

(1998)

TechSAT-II

--

(1997 and 1998)

EOS-A and EOS-B

--

(1998)

TSX-5

two TANS Vectors

(1999)

SAC-C

Lagrange, Tensor, AstroNav

(1999)

QuickBird

2 Viceroys

(late '90s)

European Polar Platform

--

(late '90s)

RAMOS

--

(1999)

Gravity Probe B

2 Vectors

(December 1999)

CHAMP

AstroNav

(summer 1999)

OSEM

Tensor or TANS Vector

(May 2000)

Jason-1

AstroNav

(August 2000)

VCL

AstroNav

(2000)

BIRD

Rockwell Collins

(2001)

MetOp-1

ESA GNSS receiver

(June 2001)

GRACE

AstroNav

(June 2001)

FedSat-1

AstroNav

(July 2001)

ICESat

AstroNav

(late 2001)

BOLAS

--

(February 2003)

Columbus Laboratory

--

(March 2003)

ESA/ATV

Tensor

(2004)

STEP

AST-V

--

NASA/STV

Mayflower receiver

(N/A)

Spartan Lite

GEC Plessey Chipset

(N/A)

Orbit Maneuvering Vehicle and Orbit Transfer Vehicle

--

(N/A)

MEDSAT

--

(2000)

STENTOR

--

(N/A)

CESAR

--

Landsat 4

Landsat 4 is an earth resource data collection satellite, developed by NASA and maintained by the Earth Observation SATellite (EOSAT) company. It is equipped with a Thematic Mapper (TM) and a Multispectral Scanner (MSS). It contains a Magnavox GPSPAC integrated GPS Receiver / Processor Assemblies (R/PA) which is used for orbit determination and spacecraft time system synchronisation. Approximate ephemeris and time data are also uploaded, since GPS is not used as a primary sensor. The Landsat 4 receiver malfunctioned soon after launch.

Bachofer, B.T. (1979). "Landsat D case study in spacecraft design." AIAA professional study series.

Korenstein, D.A. (1987). "Potential GPS user architecture for the NASA space station based on Landsat 4/5 experience." Proceedings of the Satellite Division First Technical Meeting, The Institute of Navigation, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A., 21-25 Sept., pp. 171-175.

Munjal, P., W. Feess and M. Ananda (1992). "A review of spaceborne applications of GPS." Proceedings of ION GPS-92, The Institute of Navigation, Albuquerque, New Mex., U.S.A., 16-18 Sept., pp. 813-823.

Landsat 5

Landsat 5 is an earth resource data collection satellites, developed by NASA and maintained by the Earth Observation SATellite (EOSAT) company. It is equipped with a Thematic Mapper (TM) and a Multispectral Scanner (MSS). It contains a Magnavox GPSPAC integrated GPS Receiver / Processor Assemblies (R/PA) which is used for orbit determination and spacecraft time system synchronisation. Approximate ephemeris and time data are also uploaded, since GPS is not used as a primary sensor.

Heuberger, H (1984). "Performance of the GPS Package on LANDSAT-5," IEEE Position Location and Navigation Symposium.

Korenstein, D.A. (1987). "Potential GPS user architecture for the NASA space station based on Landsat 4/5 experience." Proceedings of the Satellite Division First Technical Meeting, The Institute of Navigation, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A., 21-25 Sept., pp. 171-175.

Munjal, P., W. Feess and M. Ananda (1992). "A review of spaceborne applications of GPS." Proceedings of ION GPS-92, The Institute of Navigation, Albuquerque, New Mex., U.S.A., 16-18 Sept., pp. 813-823.

ORBCOMM-X

ORBCOMM-X was launched by Orbital Science Corporation in July 1991. It was designed to conduct tests in support of wireless communications. It carried a GPS receiver, but failed shortly after launch.

Small Satellite Home Page: Micro-satellites list, the modern microsat era

Small Satellite Home Page: GPS receiver picture.

EUVE

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) is a NASA satellite designed for astronomical observations in the extreme-ultraviolet region. Two GPS anntenas were required, since the satellite is required to rotate for the sky survey.

Gold, K., W. Bertiger, T. Yunck, S. Wu, R. Muellerschoen, G. Born and K. Larson (1994). "A study of real time orbit determination for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer." Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation 1994 National Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A., 24-26 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 625-634.

Gold, K, A. Reichert, G. Born, W. Bertiger, S. Wu and T. Yunck (1994). "GPS orbit determination in the presence of Selective Availability for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20-23 Sept., 1994, pp. 1191-1199.

NASA Facts On Line: EUVE: probing a newly opened window

EUVE mission description

The Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics

NASA EUVE astrophysics document

Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Public Archive/Center for EUV Astrophysics

TOPEX / Poseidon

The ocean TOPography EXperiment (TOPEX / Poseidon) is a joint NASA / Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) satellite, designed to provide precise radar mapping of ocean topography. The satellite contains a Motorola GPS Demonstration Receiver (GPSDR), the commercial version of which is now the Monarch; a dual frequency radar altimeter; a single frequency solid state altimeter; a Doppler ranging system DORIS antenna ; and, a laser reflector array.

Bertiger, W.I., J.T. Wu and S.C. Wu (1992). Gravity field improvement using Global Positioning System data from TOPEX/Poseidon: A covariance analysis. Journal of Geophysical Research, 10 February, Vol. 97, No. B2, pp. 1965-1971.

Bertiger, W.I., Y. E. Bar-Sever, E. J. Christensen, E. S. Davis, J. R. Guinn, B. J. Haines, R. W. Ibanez-Meier, J. R. Jee, S. M. Lichten, W. G. Melbourne, R. J. Muellerschoen, T. N. Munson, Y. Vigue, S. C. Wu, T. P. Yunck, B. E. Schutz, P. A. M. Abusali, H. J. Rim, M. M. Watkins, and P. Willis (1994): GPS precise tracking of TOPEX/POSEIDON: Results and implications. Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 99, No. C12.

Born, G.H., Michael E. Parke, Penina Axelrad, Kenneth L. Gold, James Johnson, Kevin W. Key, Daniel G. Kubitschek, and Edward J. Christensen (1994): Calibration of the TOPEX altimeter using a GPS buoy. Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 99, No. C12.

Carson, L., L. Hailey, G.J. Geier, R. Davis, G. Huth and T.N. Munson (1988). Design and predicted performance of the GPS demonstration receiver for the NASA TOPEX satellite. IEEE Position Location and Navigation Symposium, 29 Nov. - 2 Dec. pp. 442-454.

Davis, G.W., J.C. Ries, H.J. Rim, B.E. Schutz and B.D. Tapley (1994). "Orbit determination techniques for GPS tracking of low altitude satellites." Proceedings of the ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Sault Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., 20-23, Sept., pp. 1221-1229.

Guinn, J., J. Jee, P. Wolff, F. Lagattuta, T. Drain and V. Sierra (1994). "TOPEX/POSEIDON operational orbit determination results using global positioning satellites." Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Cali, U.S.A.

Leavitt, R.K. and A.H. Salama (1993). "Design and implementation of software algorithms for TOPEX/POSEIDON onboard ephemeris representations." Astrodynamics 1993, Volume 85, Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Proceedins of the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, Ed. A.K. Misra, V.J. Modi, R. Holdaway and P.M. Bainum. American Astronautical Society, Victoria, B.C., Canada, 16-19, Aug., pp. 2519-2533.

Lindqwister U J, Lichten S M, Davis E S and H L Theiss (1993). "The GPS Topex/Poseidon precise orbit determination experiment - Implications for design of GPS global networks." IAF, International Astronautical Congress, 44th, Graz, Austria, Oct. 16-22.

Melbourne, W.G. (1994). "GPS-based tracking system for TOPEX orbit determination." Recent Advances in Civil Space Remote Sensing, Proceedings of Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), ASP, Arlington, Va., 3-4 May, SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, Bellingham, Wash., Vol. 481, pp. 181-192.

Muellerschoen, R.J., W.I. Bertiger, S.C. Wu, T.N. Munson, J.F. Zumberge and B. Haines (1994). "Accuracy of GPS determined TOPEX/Poseidon orbits during anti-spoof periods." Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation 1994 National Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A., 24-26 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 607-614.

Muellerschoen, R., S. Litchen, U. Lindqwister and W. Bertiger (1995). "Results of a [sic] automated GPS tracking systems in support of Topex/poseidon and GPSMet." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 183-193.

Mur, T.M., J. Dow, N. Bondarenco, S. Casotto, J. Feltens and C.G. Martinez (1995). "Use of GPS for proecise and operational orbit determination at ESOC." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 619-626.

Rim, H.J., B.E. Schutz, P.A.M. Abusali and B.D. Tapley (1995). "Effects of GPS orbit accuracy on GPS-determined TOPEX/POSEIDON orbit." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 613-617.

Salama, A.H. and R.K. Leavitt (1993). "TOPEX/POSEIDON onboard ephemeris representation procedure, performance. and experience." Astrodynamics 1993, Volume 85, Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Proceedins of the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, Ed. A.K. Misra, V.J. Modi, R. Holdaway and P.M. Bainum. American Astronautical Society, Victoria, B.C., Canada, 16-19, Aug., pp. 2535-2548.

Wu, J.-T. and T.P. Yunck (1992). "TOPEX orbit determination and gravity recovery using Global Positioning System data from repeat orbits." Journal of Geophysical Research, 10 February, Vol. 97, No. B2, pp. 1973-1979.

Wu, S.-C., W.I. Bertiger and J.-t. Wu (1992). "Reducing S/A errors in TOPEX GPS measurements." NASA Tech Briefs, December, Vol. 16, No. 12, p. 38.

Wu, S. C., R.J. Muellerschoen, W.I. Bertiger, T.P. Yunck, Y.E. Bar-Sever and T.N. Munson (1993). "Automated precision orbit determination for TOPEX/POSEIDON with GPS." Astrodynamics 1993, Volume 85, Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Proceedings of the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, Ed. A.K. Misra, V.J. Modi, R. Holdaway and P.M. Bainum. American Astronautical Society, Victoria, B.C., Canada, 16-19, Aug., pp. 183-194.

Topex/Poseidon Home Page

Le programme Topex/Poseidon

TOPEX/Poseidon GPS Data Processing Facility

TOPEX/Poseidon Navigation Team

CCAR TOPEX/Poseidon Home Page

Space Shuttle

NASA is seriously considering full implementation of GPS into its shuttle fleet. These test flights are designed to evaluate the on-orbit performance of GPS at a relatively low cost. Three antennas are used to increase GPS signal reception.

Asker, J.R. (1993). "Radical upgrades urged to cut Shuttle costs." Aviation Week & Space Technology, 29 November, Vol. 139, No. 22, pp. 42-44.

Cryan, S.P. and M.N. Montez (1992). "A survey of GPS satellite selection algorithms for space shuttle autolanding." ION GPS-92, Proceedings of Fifth International Technical Meeting of the Institute of Navigation, Albuquerque, N. Mex., 16-18 September, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 1165-1171.

Kachmar, P.M., W. Chu, P. Neirinckx and M. Montez (1993). "U.S. space shuttle: Integrated GPS navigation capability." Proceedings of ION GPS-93, The Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 22-24 September, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 313-326.

Madden, C., S. Lee and H. Tran (1992). "Near term GPS applicaitions for Shuttle." Proceedings of the ION GPS-92, Institute of Navigation, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A., 16-18 Sept., pp. 863-872.

Saunders, P.E., M.C. Robel, M.E. Aerni, D.N. Feuerstein, S.B. Lowery and C.E. Cohen (1994). "The first flight tests of GPS on the Space Shuttle." ION Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., 24-26 Jan., Institute of Navigation, pp. 657-669.

Space Shuttle Mission Chronology

RADCAL

The RADar CALibration (RADCAL) satellite is designed by the U.S. Air Force for calibration of military and civilian C-band radar systems. It carries a GPS receiver modified by Stanford University, the radar transponder and a TRAnsit NETwork (TRANET) Doppler beacon tracking system beacon for navigation.

Axelrad, P. and L.M. Ward (1994). "On-orbit GPS based attitude & antenna baseline estimation." Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation 1994 National Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A., 24-26 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 441-450.

Cohen, C.E., E.G. Lightsey, B.W. Parkinson and W.A. Feess (1993). "Space flight tests of attitude determination using GPS: preliminary results." Proceedings of ION GPS-93, The Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 22-24 September, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 625-632.

Langer, J.V., W.A. Feess, K.M. Harrington, M.R. Bacigalupi, M.A. Cardoza, R.G. Mach and P.A.M. Abusali (1994). "RADCAL: precision orbit determination with a commercial grade GPS receiver." Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation 1994 National Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A., 24-26 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 421-431.

Lightsey, E.G., C.E. Cohen and B.W. Parkinson (1994). "Development of a GPS receiver for reliable real-time attitude determination in space." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20-23 Sept., pp. 1677-1684.

Ward, L. and P. Axelrad (1995). "Spacecraft attitude estimation using GPS: Methodology and results for RADCAL." Navigating the 90s: Technology, Applications, and Policy, Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation National Technical Meeting, Anaheim, Calif., 18-20 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 813-825.

RADCAL RSC Homepage

30th Space Wing: RADCAL page

ORFEUS-SPAS-1

The Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS-SPAS-1) is the first satellite of a set of joint German - U.S. launches. SPAS stands for Shuttle PAllet Satellite. ORFEUS-SPAS-1, developed by the German space agency (DARA), is designed to make astronomical observations at very short wavelengths. GPS was used for attitude determination.

Brock, J.K., R. Fuller, B. Kemper, D. Mleczko, J. Rodden and A. Tadros (1995). "GPS attitude determination and navigation flight experiment." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 545-554.

Marsh, G. (1994). "SNS for space platforms." Space, pp. 22-24.

Home Page of ORFEUS Group

NASA STS-51 press release

DaimlerChrysler Aerospace: Astro-Spas

PoSAT-1

PoSAT-1 was designed for a consortium of Portuguese organisations lead by LNETI, by the University of Surrey, U.K. It is an earth observing satellite with imaging cameras.

Unwin, M.J. (1993). "The PoSAT microsatellite GPS experiment." Proceedings of the ION GPS-93, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., 22-24 Sept., pp. 811-817.

Unwin, M.J. and M.N.Sweeting (1994). "First results from PoSAT-1 GPS experiment." Proceedings of the 1994 National Technical Meeting, Institute of Navigation, San Diego, Calif, U.S.A., 24-26 Jan., pp. 413-420.

Unwin, M.J. and M.N.Sweeting (1995). "A practical demonstration of low cost autonomous orbit determination using GPS." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15 Sept., pp. 579-587.

SSTL: PoSAT-1 microsatellite mission

SSTL: PoSAT-1 GPS Experiment

OREX

The Orbital Re-entry EXperiment (OREX), supported by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), is designed to evaluate the function and performance of the GPS navigation system during orbit and re-entry.

Tomita, H., H. Suzuki, S. Matsumoto, M. Harigae, H. Maeda and T. Miyano (1994). "Flight data analysis of OREX onboard GPS receiver." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., 20-23 Sept., pp. 1211-1220. NASDA: Orbital Re-entry Experiment (OREX)

DARPASAT

The U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA, formerly DARPA) SATellite (DARPASAT) is designed to demonstrate a low-cost, quick-reaction, high performance satellite and launch vehicle design and contruction.

Cubbedge, S. and T. Higbee (1994). "Design, integration, and test of a GPS receiver on an inertially pointed satellite: a case study." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20-23 Sept., 1994, pp. 1701-1710.

Nicastri, E. (1992). "Progress to-date -- vision for the future." Small Satellite Technologies and Applications II, Proceedings of SPIE, Volume 169, Ed. B.J. Horais. The International Society for Optical Engineering, 21-22 April, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., pp. 112-130.

Mitchell, S., Jackson, B., Cubbedge, S. and T. Higbee (1996). "Innovation: Navigation Solution Accuracy from a Spaceborne GPS Receiver." GPS World. Vol. 7, No. 6, pp. 42, 44, 46-48, 50.

TAOS / STEP-0

Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability (TAOS) is a U.S. Air Force Phillips Laboratory satellite, designed to test and evaluate two navigation systems that support autonomous satellite navigation. The first is a semi-autonomous system that uses a six channel miniature GPS receiver developed by Rockwell International Corp. to determine position and velocity. The second is the Microcosm Autonomous Navigation System (MANS), which uses horizontal scanners, modified for sun and moon detection to determine position, velocity and attitude. TAOS was launched on the STEP-0 (Space Test Experiment Platform-1) platform. Note: Not to be confused with the planned Taos constellation of five mobile tracking and paging satellites.

Anthony, J. (1992). "Air Force Phillips Laboratory autonomous space navigation experiment." Paper presented at the AIAA, Space Programs and Technologies Conference, Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A., 24-27 March.

Bristol and UNB (1995). "Investigation of GPS Technology in Applications for Space Mechanics." Final contract report prepared by Bristol Aerospace Ltd., Winnipeg, Man. and the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, N.B., for the Directorate of Space Mechanics, Canadian Space Agency, St-Hubert, Que., March, 95 pp.

Weninger, R. M., R. Sfeir, T.T. Forgette, P.T. Kelton and R. J. Najarian (1992). "Qualification of TAOS satellite GPS receiver." Paper presented at the AIAA, Space Programs and Technologies Conference, Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A., 24-27 March.

USAF: Technology for autonomous operational survivability (TAOS) satellite

TRW: STEP-0

JPL Quicklook: TAOS

Small Satellite Home Page: Step

STEP-2

STEP-2 (Space Test Experiment Platform-2) was an experiment in improving radio communications. It also contained a GPS receiver.

TRW: STEP-2

Small Satellite Home Page Step

APEX

The Advance Photovoltaic and Electronics Experiment (APEX) by the U.S. Air Force, is designed to observe the effects of a realtively high radiation environment and space plasma. Precise satellite ephemeris are derived from an onboard six channel GPS receiver.

Gregg, W (1996). e-mail, 12 May.

Lindberg, R.E., K.G. Lyon, R.H. Meurer and E.A. Coxon (1992). "PegaStar spacecraft concept for remote sensing missions." Small Satellite Technologies and Applications II, Proceedings of SPIE, Volume 169, Ed. B.J. Horais. The International Society for Optical Engineering, 21-22 April, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., pp. 157-170.

Orbital Science Corp.: APEX mission

JPL Quicklook: APEX

CRISTA-SPAS

CRISTA-SPAS is the second satellite of a set of joint German - U.S. launches. SPAS stands for Shuttle PAllet Satellite. CRISTA-SPAS, developed by Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA), is designed to analyse dynamical processes in the middle atmosphere. CRISTA stands for Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere. GPS was used for attitude and navigation determination.

Brock, J.K., R. Fuller, B. Kemper, D. Mleczko, J. Rodden and A. Tadros (1995). "GPS attitude determination and navigation flight experiment." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 545-554.

Space Shuttle mission STS-66

NASA Press Kit: CRISTA-SPAS

DaimlerChrysler Aerospace: Astro-Spas

COMET

COMmercial Experiment Transporter (COMET) is a joint project being supported by the Space Automation and Robotics Center (SpARC) and the NASA-sponsored Center for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS), and designed to validate autonomous rendezvous and docking (ARD) technology. Two COMET spacecraft to be launched: one target and one chase vehicle. GPS receivers with be used for navigation, a video-based sensor for proximity operations, a fluid connector meachanism to demonstrate fluid resupply capability, and a compliant, single-point docking mechanism.

Bristol and UNB (1995). "Investigation of GPS Technology in Applications for Space Mechanics." Final contract report prepared by Bristol Aerospace Ltd., Winnipeg, Man. and the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, N.B., for the Directorate of Space Mechanics, Canadian Space Agency, St-Hubert, Que., March, 95 pp.

Tchoryk, P., M.E. Dobbs, D.J. Conrad, D.J. Aply and R.P. Whitten (1991). "Autonomous rendezvous and docking: a commercial approach to on-orbit technology validation." In NASA automated rendezvous and capture review. NASA Technical Report N93-22226.

NASA JSC: Recoverable Satellite System

Faisat-1

Final Analysis Incorporated SATellite-1 (Faisat-1) was designed for Final Analysis, Incorporated. It is a communcations satellite and uses GPS as a time reference.

Final Analysis, Inc.: Satellite launch

Final Analysis, Inc.: Satellite bus description

Encyclopedia Astronautica: Faisat

SFU

The Space Flyer Unit (SFU) operated by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan, is designed for rendezvous with a space shuttle after a number of months of orbiting. GPS is being used for onboard navigation.

Ichikawa, T., K. Ninomiya, S. Kumagai and M. Mistutake (1995). "Experimental results of using the GPS for SFU onboard navigation." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 573-577.

ISAS: SFU

NASA Press Release: U.S. instruments to fly aboard Japanese astronomy mission

ORBCOMM-FM1

ORBCOMM-FM1 was designed and built by Orbital Sciences Corporation for global communications.

ITU Newsletter: Orbcomm-FM1

JPL Quicklook: Orbcomm

More details from the Small Satellite Home Page

ORBCOMM-FM2

ORBCOMM-FM2 was designed and built by Orbital Sciences Corporation for global communications.

ITU Newsletter: Orbcomm-FM2

JPL Quicklook: Orbcomm

More details from the Small Satellite Home Page

OrbView-1 (formerly MicroLab-1)

OrbView-1 (formerly (MicroLab-1) is a satellite developed and built by Orbital Science Corp. (OSC). The satellite carries two experiments. The Optical Transient Detector, managed by Marshall Space Flight Center, is designed to observe lightening from space. GPS/METeorology (GPS/MET) is a joint project being supported by the the following American agencies: the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA). The program is being conducted by scientists at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the University Navstar Consortium (UNAVCO), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the University of Arizona. A GPS receiver is used to determine the occultation of GPS signals travelling through the atmosphere. These observations are then used to derive meteorological parameters.

Businger, S., Chriswell, S. R., Bevis, M., Duan, J., Anthes, R. A., Rocken, C., Ware, R.H., Exner, M., VanHove, T., and F. S. Solheim (1996). "The promise of GPS in atmospheric monitoring." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Vol. 77, No. 1, pp. 5-18.

Hajj,G., E.R. Kursinski, W. Bertiger, S. Leroy, L. Romans and J.T. Schofield (1995). "Sensing the atmosphere from a low-earth orbiter tracking GPS: early results and lessons from the GPS/MET experiment." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 1167-1174.

Melborne, W. G., Davis, E. S., Duncan, C. B., Hajj, G. A., Hardy, K. R., Kursinski, E. R., Meehan, T. K., Young, L. E. and T. P. Yunck. (1994). "The application of spaceborne GPS to atmospheric limb sounding and global change monitoring." JPL Publication 94-18, NASA, Pasadena, California.

Muellerschoen, R., S. Litchen, U. Lindqwister and W. Bertiger (1995). "Results of a [sic] automated GPS tracking systems in support of Topex/poseidon and GPSMet." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 183-193.

Ware, R., Exner, M., Feng, D., Gorbunov, M., Hardy, K., Herman, B., Kuo, Y., Meehan, T., Melborne, W., Rocken, C., Schreiner, W., Sokolovskiy, S., Solheim, F., Zou, X., Anthes, R., Businger, S., and K. Trenberth (1996). "GPS sounding of the atmosphere from low earth orbit: preliminary results." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Vol. 77, No. 1, pp. 19-40.

GPS/MET Program

GPS/MET results

OSC MicroStar Satellite

Optical Transient Detector (other sensor on MicroLab-1)

FASat-Alfa

FASat-Alfa is a Chilean Air Force satellite, designed by the Unviersity of Surrey. It carries a GPS receiver, ozone layer monitoring experiment, an imaging scanner, and a data transfer experiment. Command of FASat-Alfa is not been gained.

Unwin, M.J. and M.N.Sweeting (1995). "A practical demonstration of low cost autonomous orbit determination using GPS." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15 Sept., pp. 579-587.

SSTL: FASat-Alfa Microsatellite Mission

Wake Shield Facility-02

The Wake Shield Facility (WSF), sponsored by NASA and the University of Houston, is a free-flying spacecraft deployed from the space shuttle for the purpose of growing thin semiconductor films for advanced electronics in an ultra-vacuum environment. The GPS portion of the mission is managed by the University of Texas at Austin.

Schutz, B., P.A.M. Abusali, C. Schroeder, B. Tapley, M. Exner, R. McCloskey, R. Carpenter, M. Cooke, S. McDonald, N. Combs, C. Duncan, C. Dunn and T. Meehan (1995). "GPS tracking experiment of a free-flyer deployed from space shuttle." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 229-235.

Wake Shield GPS experiment

Wake Shield Facility Overview

Wake Shield Facility On STS-69

Skipper

Skipper is a joint U.S./Russian atmospheric research mission. The SGPS receiver was used for OD.

Yinger, C. (1997). email, 24 March.

California Institute of Technology Skipper Satellite Simulations

GADACS

The GPS Attitude Determination And Control System (GADACS) is a attitude sensor experiment onboard the NASA SPARTAN spacecraft, which was deployed and retrieved by the Space Shuttle. The SPARTAN spacecraft carries a number of other experiments as well.

Bauer, F.H., E.G. Lightsey, J. McCullough, J. O'Donnell, R. Schnurr (1994). "GADACS: a GPS attitude determination and control experiment on a SPARTAN spacecraft." 13th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, Pola Alto, Calif., U.S.A.

Bauer, F.H., E.G. Lightsey, J. McCullough, J. O'Donnell, R. Schnurr, B.F. Class, L. Jackson and S. Leiter (1994). "Preflight testing of the SPARTAN GADACS." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., 20-23 Sept., pp. 1233-1241.

Lightsey, E.G., C. Cohen and B. Parkinson (1994). "Development of a GPS receiver for reliable real-time attitude determination in space." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20-23 Sept., 1994, pp. 1677-84.

NASA GSFC: SPARTAN Home Page

W3EAX: SPRE Home Page

GANE

The GPS Attitude and Navigation Experiment (GANE) by NASA - Johnson Space Flight Center, is designed to verify the attitude determination capability of GPS to mitigate the risk of this technology for the International Space Station (ISS). An inertial reference unit (IRU) supplied by the ISS program will be used as the reference for the attitude calculated in the post-processing. A TANS GPS receiver with four patch antennas will be used to measure attitude, as well as navigation and overall performance on orbit.

NASA JSFC: GANE

NASA GSFC: TEAMS

MSTI-3

The Miniature Sensor Technology Integration 3 (MSTI-3) satellite built in part by Spectrum Astro, Inc. and developed by the Phillips Laboratory for the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, in cooperation with the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) was designed to gather background data on the Earth's atmosphere and terrestrial environment. Instruments included short wavelength and medium wavelength infrared cameras, a visible imaging spectrometer, and a telescope. The SGPS receiver is part of the spacecraft bus and is used to provide periodic spacecraft position, velocity, and time updates to the on-board orbit propagator. It is the third in a series of low cost, high performance, quick reaction satellites.

Lazbin, I (1997). e-mail, Spectrum Astro, Inc., 19 Feb.

Yinger, C. (1997). e-mail, 24 March.

U.S. Air Force MSTI Satellite Program

U.S. Air Force MSTI-3 Mission Overview

MOMS-2P

The Modular Optical Multispectral Scanner (MOMS-2P) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is part of the scientific payload of the Priroda module of the Russian space station MIR. Based on a set of five CCD line sensors, the camera provides Earth observation images for photogrammetric and thematic mapping with a resolution better than 10 m. As part of the MOMS-2P camera experiment, a MOMSNAV package provides precise orbit and attitude information. To this end, a Motorola Viceroy 12 channel C/A code GPS receiver has been added to the MOMSNAV package, linked to two GPS antennas attached to the Priroda module.

Gill, E. (1999). e-mail, GSOC, 23 March.

Montenbruck, O., E. Gill, J.M. Fraile-Ordonez (1996) "Orbit Determination of the MIR Space Station using MOMSNAV GPS Measurements," 8th International Astrodynamics Symposium (IAS). Gifu, Japan, 19-25 May, 96-c-53.

Föckersperger, S., J.M. Fraile Ordonez, O. Montenbruck, E. Gill (1997) "MOMSNAV First Analysis of GPS Flight Data from Space Station MIR," Proceedings Third International Conference on Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems, ESTEC, The Netherlands, 26-29 November, ESA SP-381.

Gill, E. (1997). "Orbit Determination of the MIR Space Station from GPS Navigation Data," 12th International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics. Darmstadt, Germany, 2-6 June, SFD 97/17 ESA SP-403.

Moreau, G. and H. Marcille (1998). "On-Board Precise Relative Orbit Determination," Proceedings of the 2nd European Symposium on Global Navigation Satellite Systems. V-O-03.

GSOC: MOMS-2P mission on MIR

DLR: MOMS-2P on PRIRODA

DLR: PRIRODA Mission

HETE

The High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE) by NASA, CNES and MIT, is designed to improve the identification of gamma ray burst locations. GPS will be used to time the bursts and as a backup to the radiolocalisation equipment. HETE, along with SAC-B, expired after power failure in third stage of Pegasus launcher.

Issler, J.L., R. Mesnard, M. Tello, E. Péragin, F. Martek, G. Ricker, A. Auphan, G. Caillet, C. Mehlen and C. Valpard (1994). "Orbital navigation with a GPS receiver on the H.E.T.E. spacecraft." ION Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., 24-26 Jan., Institute of Navigation, pp. 645-656.

Sextant Avionique (1993). "GPS receiver to be suuplied for NASA's High Energy Transient Experiment satellite." Aviation Week & Space Technology, 8 March, Vol. 138, No. 10, pp. 51.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology High Energy Transient Experiment

JPL Quicklook: HETE

Wake Shield Facility-03

The Wake Shield Facility (WSF), sponsored by NASA and the University of Houston, is a free-flying spacecraft deployed from the space shuttle for the purpose of growing thin semiconductor films for advanced electronics in an ultra-vacuum environment. The GPS portion of the mission is managed by the University of Texas at Austin.

Wake Shield Facility GPS experiment

Wake Shield Facility Overview

Wake Shield Facility On STS-80

HALCA

The Highly Advanced Laboratory for Communications and Astronomy (HALCA) (formerly MUSES-B) was developed by the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) to conduct VLBI observations from space as part of the VLBI Space Observatory Programme (VSOP). The satellite consists of an orbiting radio-telescope with an 8 m (dia.) parabolic antenna. The GPS receiver is part of an orbit determination experiment (the satellite's orbit does reach altitudes comparable to that of the GPS constellation - approx. 21 000 km).

Jonathan's Space Report No. 313

Institute for Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) The MUSES-B Satellite Home Page

The VLBI Space Observatory Programme (VSOP) Home Page

Zeya

Zeya was developed by the Krasnoyarsk-26 Applied Mechanics Research and Production Association and the Mozhaisky Military Space Engineering Academy for the Russian Defence Ministry. The satellite carries both a GPS and a GLONASS receiver, as well as 20 laser reflectors and an amateur radio payload. It is therefore thought that the former are for orbit determination.

Communications Research Laboratory (CRL): ZEYA

Jonathan's Space Report No. 317

OrbView-2 (formerly SeaStar)

OrbiView-2 (formerly SeaStar) is a joint civil and commercial remote sensing program supported by NASA. Global colour ocean data will be produced by the Sea-Viewing Wide Field Sensor (SeaWiFS). Orbit determination will be obtained with redundant on-board GPS receivers.

Gregg, W (1996). e-mail, 12 May.

Lindberg, R.E., K.G. Lyon, R.H. Meurer and E.A. Coxon (1992). "PegaStar spacecraft concept for remote sensing missions." Small Satellite Technologies and Applications II, Proceedings of SPIE, Volume 169, Ed. B.J. Horais. The International Society for Optical Engineering, 21-22 April, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., pp. 157-170.

Goddard Space Flight Center Overview of SEAWiFS and SeaStar spacecraft

Picture of SeaStar

ORBIMAGE: OrbView-2 Products and Services

SSTI Lewis

The NASA Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (SSTI) Lewis will demonstrate more than 25 new technologies, including: GPS attitude determination (with four antennas), a Hyper Spectral Imager, a linear spectral array, an ultra-violet and cosmic background instrument, and a wide angle star tracker, a magnetically suspended reaction wheel. The spacecraft is being contructed by TRW. The satellite re-entered due to lack of attitude control.

Jonathan's Space Report No. 337

Bauer, F., E.G. Lightsey, S. Leake, J. McCullogh, J. O'Donnell, Jr., K. Hartman and R. Hart. (1995). "The GPS Attitude Determination Flyer (GADFLY): a space-qualified GPS attitiude receiver on the SSTI-Lewis spacecraft." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif., U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 555-562.

GSFC GPS Enhanced Orbit Determination Experiment (GEODE) on SSTI Lewis

Small Satellites Home Page Lewis description

JPL Quicklook: Lewis

Faisat-1

Final Analysis Incorporated SATellite-2 (Faisat-2) was designed for Final Analysis, Incorporated and is follows Faisat-1. It is a communcations satellite and uses GPS as a time reference.

Final Analysis, Inc.: Satellite launch

Final Analysis, Inc.: Satellite bus description

Encyclopedia Astronautica: Faisat

IRS-1D

IRS-1D is a remote sensing satellite developed and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation. Among other devices the satellite carries a GPS receiver.

ISRO: Programmes

Sivaraman, M.R. (1999). e-mail, ISRO, 26 August.

Falcon Gold

The U.S. Air Force Academy GPS Flight Experiment or Falcon Gold mission is a joint U.S. Air Force Academy and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs project designed to determine the capabilities of GPS orbit determination for geosynchronous spacecraft.

USAFA: Falcon Gold Page

David Sipple: Falcon Gold Page

NAVSYS Corp.: TIDGET SGPS receiver

YES

YES (Young Engineers' Satellite) is an ESA-ESTEC and Delta-Utec satellite designed to study tether dynamics. Young engineers and students aided in the start-to-finish production of the satellite. It was launched in an assembly with other satellites: TORI, TEAM, and MaqSath. The GPS experiment is designed to collection data above the GPS constellation, and supply state information to the tether dynamics study.

ESA-ESTEC: TEAMsat Home Page

Delta-Utec: YES Page

ETS-VII

The Engineering Test Satellite #7 (ETS-VII) is a NASDA satellite developed to demonstrate rendezvous docking and space robot technologies. GPS is used for relative positioning in the rendezvous stage in the two subsatellites (Orihime and Hikoboshi).

NASDA: ETS-VII Home Page

NASDA: Rendezvous Docking Experiment Plan and Results

NASDA: Orihime/Hikoboshi World

Equator-S

The Equator-S spacecraft is being designed for DARA, with the aid of ESA/ESTEC and NASA to provide high-resolution plasma, magnetic, and electric field measurements. The satellite will fly in a highly elliptical orbit. The GPS experiment involves studying the capabilities of GPS as a function of spacecraft altitude.

Gill, E. (1999). e-mail, GSOC, 23 March.

Enderle, W., M. Schmidhuber, E. Gill, O. Montenbruck, A. Braun, B. Eissfeller, O. Balbach O. (1998). "GPS Performance for GEO's and HEO's - the Equator-S Spacecraft Mission," Proceedings of the AAS/GSFC 13th International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics. GSFC, U.S.A., 11-15 May, NASA/CP-1998-206858/VOL1.

Lemke N., B. Eisfeller, O. Balbach, W. Enderle, M. Schmidhuber (1998). "The GPS Experiment on the Small Satellite Mission Equator-S," The 4th International Symposium on Small Satellite Systems and Services. 14-18 September, Antibes - Juan Les Pins, France.

Balbach O., B. Eisfeller, G.W. Hein, T. Zink, W. Enderle, M. Schmidhuber, N. Lemke (1998). "Tracking GPS above GPS Satellite Altitude: Results of the GPS Experiment on the HEO Mission EQUATOR-S," Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Meeting of The Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation ION GPS-98 , Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A., 15-18 September.

MPE: Equator-S Home Page

GSOC: Equator-S mission

GSOC: GPS-operations

GSOC: Flight Dynamics Operations (including GPS experiment)

Kayser-Threde: Equator-S GPS press release

EarlyBird

Earlybird is an imaging satellite developed for the EarthWatch Inc. remote sensing company. It contains a panchromatic (3 m resolution) and a multispectral scanner (15 m resolution). The Vector receiver will be for on-board attitude, positioning, and timing, and the Viceroy for on-board positioning and timing. Both receivers will provide raw psuedorange and carrier phase data for precise post processed orbit determination.

EarthWatch: EarthWatch Spacecraft

Engelhardt, D., (1997), e-mail, EarthWatch Inc., 17 March

GFO

The GEOSAT Follow-On (GFO) program is a U.S. Navy mission to develop an operational series of radar altimeter satellites for continuous ocean observation. The satellite contains a radar altimeter, a water vapour radiometer, Doppler beacons and redundant GPS receivers for orbit determination. The information gained will be used to enhance the U.S. Navy's environmental predictions and warfighting capabilities.

Mitchell, S (1996). e-mail, Ball Corporation, 13 May.

U.S. Navy: GEOSAT Follow-On Altimeter Mission

Ball Corporation GEOSAT Follow-On Mission Description

Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility GEOSAT Follow-On Calibration Collaboration

University of Colorado, Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research paper entitled Precision Orbit Determination for GFO and GFO-2

Globalstar

Globalstar is a LEO satellite-based voice and data telecommunications system. The constellation proposed consists of 48 satellites (plus 8 in-orbit spares) with Loral Tensor SGPS receivers onboard. The receivers will be used for satellite position and attitude determination, and to provide high-accuracy, real-time differential GPS (DGPS) corrections.

"Loral Announces LEO/DGPS Plan." GPS World Newsletter. 30 August 1996.

Jonathan's Space Report No. 350

Globalstar: Satellite Description

Space Systems/Loral: 401S

SNOE

The Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) is a NASA-funded project being overseen by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the University if Colorado (Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics) and the Colorado Center for Astrodynamical Research. The mission will include measurements of nitric oxide. A small, low-cost spaceborne GPS receiver has been planned to be designed for this mission - the microGPS. GPS will be used to estimate the position and velocity of the spacecraft.

Reichert, A., P. Axelrad, S. Wu, W. Bertiger, and J. Srinivasan (1997). "Initial Demonstration of a Point Solution Algorithm for Orbit Determination Using the MicroGPS Receiver." Navigation and Positioning in the Information Age, Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation National Technical Meeting, Santa Monica, Calif., U.S.A., 18-20 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 377-386.

JPL: microGPS: low-cost orbit determination

The University of Colorado Student Nitric Oxide Explorer

FASat-Bravo

The FASat-Bravo is being designed by the University of Surrey for the Chilean Air Force as a replacement for the FASat-Alfa satellite, which failed to separate from its launch vehicle. The same instruments, a GPS receiver, an ozone layer monitoring device, an imaging scanner, and a data transfer device, will be included.

CONICYT:Misiones del FASat-Bravo

SSTL: Missions: FASat-Bravo

Small Satellite Home Page description of FASat-Bravo

Mark Wade's Encyclopedia Astronautica: FASAT

TMSAT

The Thai Microsatellite (TMSat-1) is being developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited for the Thai Microsatellite Company and will carry Earth imaging and digital communications experiments. The GPS receiver is to be used for system time synchronisation and satellite orbit determination.

CSER: TMSat Home Page

CSER: Press Release - Britain and Thailand journey into space

Small Satellite Home Page description of TMSAT

Mark Wade's Encyclopedia Astronautica: TMSAT

SEDSat-1

The SEDSat-1 is being developed by Students for the Exploration and Development of Space organization and will carry Earth imaging multi-spectral remote sensing, attitude determination and control, and digital communications experiments. The GPS receiver is to be used in the attitude stabilization and control system, for time stamping, and for coarse attitude determination.

SEDS at University of Alabama in Huntsville: SEDSat-1

SEDS at University of Alabama in Huntsville: Technical description

ARD

The Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) spacecraft, built by Aerospatiale for ESA, is designed to be a payload or personnel re-entry vehicle. GPS is used for real-time navigation and post-mission trajectory determination.

Jonathan's Space Report No. 377

ESA: The Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator PDF brochure

ESA: ARD Press Release

International Space Station

The International Space Space (ISS) is a joint project among NASA, ESA, CSA, JSA, and RSA. GPS is being used for guidance and control of vehicles docking with the station and for the station itself.

Frezet, M., H. Marcille, V. Pascal, J.M. Pairot, H. Barré, M. Cislaghi and U. Thomas (1995). "Relative GPS navigation for ATV rendezvous." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 269-278.

Hwu, S., B. Lu, R. Panneton and P. Saunders (1995). "Mulipath environment for space station Global Positioning System." Navigating the 90s: Technology, Applications, and Policy, Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation National Technical Meeting, Anaheim, Calif., 18-20 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 941-851.

Saunders, p. and G. Barton (1995). "GPS on the international space station Alpha." Navigating the 90s: Technology, Applications, and Policy, Proceedings of The Institute of Navigation National Technical Meeting, Anaheim, Calif., 18-20 January, The Institute of Navigation, Alexandria, Va., pp. 631-639.

Yunck, T. P. and W. G. Melborne (1989). "Geoscience from GPS tracking by earth satellites." International Association of Geodesy Symposia 102: Global Positioning System: An Overview, Ed. Y. Bock, and N. Leppard. IAG/IUGG, Edinburgh, Scotland, 3-12 August. The Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 351-369.

NASA: International Space Station

ESA: International Space Station

Boeing Space Systems: Guidance, Navigation and Control - International Space Station

SAC-A

Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas (SAC-A), built for the COmisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE) of Argentine is a test satellite for SAC-C earth observation mission. Instruments include a GPS receiver, a CCD camera, silion cell panels, a NASA magnetometer experiment, and a whale tracker. GPS is used for orbit position and velocity determination, as well as attitude determination.

CONAE: SAC-A

ØRSTED

ØRSTED is a satellite developed by a number of Danish research institutes and will map the earth's magnetic field, measure the charged particle environment and study the auroral phenomena. A TANS receiver will be used for primary positioning and a TurboStar will be used for GPS occultation measurements.

Danish Meteorological Institute: The ORSTED Satellite Project

ARGOS

The Advanced Research Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) is under the juristiction of the U.S. Air Force. It is carrying eight U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) experiments. GPS is used to reduce the costs and complexity of the navigation and attitude determination subsystems. Two receivers are used, one as a back-up.

Agardy, F.J. and R.R. Cleave (1993). "A strategy for maximizing the scientific return using a mulit-phased mission design for ARGOS." Astrodynamics 1993, Volume 85, Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Proceedings of the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, Ed. A.K. Misra, V.J. Modi, R. Holdaway and P.M. Bainum. American Astronautical Society, Victoria, B.C., Canada, 16-19, Aug., pp. 1147-1161.

Petway, J. (1995). "Argos navigation and attitude determination system." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 563-572.

U.S. Space and Missile Systems Center/Test and Evaluation Directorate Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite

Navy Research Laboratory, U.S. Navy: ARGOS Webpage

Boeing: P-91 ARGOS

SUNSAT

SUNSAT is a joint project by Stellenboch University, S.A. and South Africa AMSAT (SA AMSAT) to design an earth scanner. The GPS receiver is being supplied by NASA.

Milne, G.W. (1992). "SUNSAT microsatellite programme status - June 1992." Proceeding of the AMSAT-NA Tenth Space Symposium, AMSAT/ARRL Educational Workshop and AMSAT Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 9-11 Oct., American Radio Relay League, Newington, Conn., pp. 267-281.

Mostert, S. and G. Milne (199?). "SUNSAT: Solutions for remote sensing." Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Univeristy of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

University of Stellenbosch: SUNSAT Main Page

UoSAT-12

The UoSAT-12 satellite is a joint venture between the University of Surrey, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, the European Space Agency and the Russian Space Agency. It is an Earth imaging and digital communications satelltie. The payload will carry a laser array provided by CNES in France and a GPS/GLONASS receiver for attitude determination. Resonances in the gravity may also be examined.

University of Surrey description of UoSAT-12 MiniSatellite Mission

Jonathan's Space Report No. 395

Beutler, G., H. Drewes and H. Hornik (Ed.) (1996). International Coordination of Space Techniques for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CSTG) Bulletin No.12, Section II - Advance Space Technology, Commission VIII, Status and Programme 1995 - 1999. International Association of Geodesy, Munich, Germany.

Ikonos-1

Ikonos-1 is a remote sensing satellite being manuafactured by Lockheed Martin Missile and Space for Space Imaging Inc. The satellite's remote sensing sensor will provide one metre resolution panchromatic and four metre multi-spectral images. A Rockwell C/A code receiver will be used for orbital location and the postprocessed differential GPS technique will be used for precise location of the satellite. A star tracker will be used for attitude determination. It is predicted that this configuration will provide 12.6 metre georeferencing accuracy for image pixels. The satellite failed to reach low earth orbit. Ikonos-2 is planned.

Space Imaging, Inc.: Ikonos

ABRIXAS

A BRoad band Imaging X-ray All-sky Survey (ABRIXAS) is a German scientific satellite designed to perform the first complete all-sky survey with imaging telescopes in the medium energy X-ray range (0.5 - 15 keV). GPS will be used for timing. There was a power system failure soon after launch.

Gill, E. (1999). e-mail, GSOC, 23 March.

MPE: ABRIXAS Home Page

IRS-P4 (OceanSat)

IRS-P4 (OceanSat) is a remote sensing satellite developed and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation. The satellite is designed for ocean applications and carries a solid state camera, a multifrequency microwave radiometer, and a GPS receiver.

ISRO: IRS-P4 (OceanSat)

Sivaraman, M.R. (1999). e-mail, ISRO, 26 August.

QuikSCAT

The Quick SCATterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite is a NASA remote sensing satellite. Its main payload is the SeaWinds scatterometer designed to observe ocean wind patterns. GPS is used in the ADCS.

NASA JPL: Winds: QuikSCAT Mission

Ward, L. (1999). e-mail, Ball Aerospace, 22 October.

SRTM

The NASA Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission is designed to create a high-resolution digital topographic database of the earth. SRTM consists of radar electronics and antennas operating within the Space Shuttle payload bay, a 60 metre mast extending from the bay, and outboard antennas attached to the other end of the mast. The radar electronics consist of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR-C), the X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C), and a number of other C-band and X-band antennas. GPS receiver will be used for precise orbit determination for the interferometric synthetic aperture radar processing.

NASA JPL: SRTM Home Page

NASA KSC: STS-99

JAWSAT

JAWSAT is the Joint project between the U.S. Air Force Academy and Weber State University SATellite. The main payload include a CCD camera for earth sensing and a star mapper. GPS, fiber optic gyros (FOG), and sun sensors are used for onboard attitude determination.

Chelsey, B. and P. Axelrad (1994). "An integrated GPS attitude determination system for JAWSAT." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20-23 Sept., 1994, pp. 1251-1261.

University of New Hampshire: JAWSAT Mission Description

Center for Aerospace Technology: JAWSAT Home Site

CCAR, University of Colorado: JAWSAT GPS research

AMSAT Phase 3D

The AMSAT (the Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.) Phase 3D is being designed for amateur radio. The satellite contains many transmitters and receivers for communications by radio amateurs. Orinigally, an open-architecture GPS receiver was being built for the satellite based on a GEC Plessey chip set. This receiver however will not be produced for the Phase 3D mission. It is hoped that the receiver will be fully developed and used on a later mission. At present, it is planned that two TANS Vector receivers will be flown on the Phase 3D mission.

Clark, T. (1992). "The Global Positioning System (GPS): applications for amatuer radio and amateur satellites." Proceeding of the AMSAT-NA Tenth Space Symposium, AMSAT/ARRL Educational Workshop and AMSAT Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 9-11 Oct., American Radio Relay League, Newington, Conn., pp. 36-?.

Clark, T.A., D.M. Varney and F.H. Bauer (1994). "A low cost spacecraft receiver for orbit and attitude determination." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, 20-23 Sept., pp. 1711-1718.

Guelzow, P. (1992). "Third International AMSAT Phase 3D design review meeting." Proceeding of the AMSAT-NA Tenth Space Symposium, AMSAT/ARRL Educational Workshop and AMSAT Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 9-11 Oct., American Radio Relay League, Newington, Conn., pp. 15-35.

Jansson, D. (1993). "The AMSAT Phase 3D spacecraft." Proceeding of the AMSAT-NA Eleventh Space Symposium, and AMSAT Annual Meeting, Arlington, Tex., U.S.A., 8-10 Oct., American Radio Relay League, Newington, Conn., pp. 3-16.

Phase 3D page

The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation

Phase 3D GPS Receiver

STRV-C

The Space Technology Research Vehicle-C (STRV-C) is a planned British military (UK Defence Research Agency) satellite. It will fly in a highly elliptical orbit and test a number of spacecraft systems and technologies, including instruments for measuring radiation dose, particle fluxes, electrostatic charging. It is anticipated that the microGPS receiver being developed for the SNOE satellite will be upgraded for use on this satellite.

DERA press release: STRV 1c and 1d.

Small Satellite Home Page: STRV-1c, 1d.

ARISTOTELES

The Applications and Research Involving Space Techniques Observing The earth's fields from Low Earth orbiting Satellites (ARISTOTLES) mission is a joint ESA and NASA project, designed to carry out global gravity and magnetic field measurements. A gradiometer and GPS receiver will be used for gravimetry measurements and magnetic field sensors and a scalar magnetometer will be used for magnetometry. The choice of dual receiver, codeless receiver has not be made yet.

Lambeck, K. (1990). "ARISTOTELES; an ESA mission to study the Earth's gravity field - Impact of a high-resolution gravity-field mission for planet Earth." ESA Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1., pp. 1-21.

Schuyer, M., P.N.A.M. Visser and K.F. Wakker (1994). "The role of the on-board GPS receiver in the Aristotles satellite mission." International Workshop on Global Positioning Systems in Geosciences, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 8-10 June, 1992, pp. 347-366.

TechSAT-II

TechSAT-II is being developed by the Israel Institute of Technology for high resolution remote sensing and communication. It is the follow-on to TechSAT-I, which did not have a GPS receiver.

Israel Institute of Technology's Techsat's home-page

EOS-A and EOS-B

These are two series of platforms that are a part of the Earth Observing System (EOS) program directed by NASA's Mission To Planet Earth (MTPE). The mission consists of 30 scientific investigations of the earth and the earth's atmosphere. GPS will be used for positioning, high temporal resolution geodesy, radio occultation, and ionospheric studies.

Yunck, T. P. and W. G. Melborne (1989). "Geoscience from GPS tracking by earth satellites." International Association of Geodesy Symposia 102: Global Positioning System: An Overview, Ed. Bock, Y. and N. Leppard. IAG/IUGG, Edinburgh, Scotland, 3-12 August. The Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 351-369.

NASA GSFC: EOS Project Science Office

TSX-5

The Tri-Service Experiments Mission 5 (TSX-5) is managed by the Space Test Program (STP) of the U.S. Air Force. The satellite is designed to operate to experimental payloads, STRV-2 and CEASE. The SGPS receivers will primarily be used for precise timing.

Yinger, C. (1997). email, 24 March.

Space Test Program, USAF: to TSX-5 Homepage

SAC-C

The SAC-C is the follow-on mission to SAC-B (Satelite de Aplicaciones Cientificas), a joint Argentine-USA satellite designed to study solar flares, gamma radiation bursts, diffuse X-ray cosmic background and energetic neutral atoms. The GPS receivers on SAC-C are designed for POD, attitude determination, long wavelength gravity recovery, neutral atmosphere and ionospheric radio occultation, and ocean altimetry and scatterometry.

LaBrecque, J.L. (1994). Personal communication. Program Scientist for Geodynamics, NASA, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

SAC-B

INVAP: SAC-C

Argentine National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE) SAC-C (in Spanish)

Solfrizzo, F. (1999). e-mail, Laben S.p.A., 15 October.

QuickBird

Quickbird the second imaging satellite developed for the EarthWatch Inc. remote sensing company. It is to contain a bushbroom panchromatic (0.82 m resolution) and a bushbroom multispectral scanner (3.2 m resolution). If its design is to follow EarlyBird a Vector receiver will be for on-board attitude, positioning, and timing, and a Viceroy for on-board positioning and timing. Both receivers would provide raw psuedorange and carrier phase data for precise post processed orbit determination.

EarthWatch: QuickBird 1 Specifications

Ward, L. (1999). e-mail, Ball Aerospace, 22 October.

European Polar Platform

The European Polar Platform project by ESA is designed to provide a vehicle for a variety of earth observation payloads. GPS data will be used for precise positioning.

Yunck, T. P. and W. G. Melborne (1989). "Geoscience from GPS tracking by earth satellites." International Association of Geodesy Symposia 102: Global Positioning System: An Overview, Ed. Bock, Y. and N. Leppard. IAG/IUGG, Edinburgh, Scotland, 3-12 August. The Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 351-369.

The directorate of operations ENVISAT home page

RAMOS

The Russian AMerican Observational Satellites (RAMOS) are NASA-Russian satellites designed to sense geodynamic gravitational changes and improve temporal geophysical models. GPS will be used for relative positioning. Other devices include an advanced cryogenic intertial measurement units (IMU) and an ultra stable frequency laser platforms.

Gleason, D.M. (1994). "GPS/IMU/laser space mission for global change sensing and 21st century satellite control." ION Technical Meeting, San Diego, Calif., 24-26 Jan., Institute of Navigation, pp. 671-678.

Gravity Probe B

Gravity Probe B (GP-B) is designed to test two aspects of Einstein's theory of general relativity, which predict that a locally inertial Newtonian coordinate frame in orbit around the earth will rotate. These rotations are known as geodetic and frame dragging precessions, and will be measured using orbiting gyroscopes and GPS.

Axelrad, P. and B. W. Parkinson (1989). "Closed loop navigation and guidance for Gravity Probe B orbit insertion." Navigation, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 45-61.

Axelrad, P. (1991). A closed loop GPS-based orbit trim system for Gravity Probe B. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Standford University, Calif.

Parkinson, B.W. and P. Axelrad (1989a). "Closed loop orbit trim using GPS." 40th International Astronautical Congress Symposium on Astrodynamics, Malaga, Spain, 9-13 Oct., International Astronautical Federation. pp.1-13.

Parkinson, B. W. and P. Axelrad (1989b). "Closed loop navigation and guidance for Gravity Probe B orbit insertion." Proceedings of ION-88, Satellite Division's International Technical Meeting, Institute of Navigation, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A., 19-23 Sept., 1988. pp. 193-202.

Uematsu, H., B Parkinson E.G. Lightsey (1995). "GPS receiver design and requirement analysis for the Stanford Gravity Probe B relativity mission." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 237-246.

Stanford University: Gravity Probe B

U.S. National Research Council: Task Group on Gravity Probe B

JPL Quicklook: Gravity Probe-B

Ward, L. (1999). e-mail, Ball Aerospace, 22 October.

CHAMP

The CHAllenging Microsatellite Payload (CHAMP), initiated and primarily funded by the German Space Agency (DARA), is a multipurpose geoscience mission. It is designed to study both the gravitational and magnetic fields and sense the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere with GPS radio occultation. As the basis for an altimetry experiment, a nadir-viewing GPS antenna will be used to sense GPS signals reflecting off water surfaces. Other payload instruments include an accelerometer, magnetometer and laser retroreflector.

Gill, E. (1999). e-mail, GSOC, 23 March.

GeoForschungsZentrum: CHAMP Homepage

OSEM

The OPREX (OPtical Reflection EXperiment) Space Evaluation Module (OSEM). The purpose of OSEM is to evaluate small-signal detection methods and multi-modulation techniques in a dense signal environment. The SGPS receiver will provide attitude information.

Yinger, C. (1997). email, 24 March.

Federation of American Scientists: OSEM Experiment Requirements Document

Federation of American Scientists: Mission Requirements Document

Jason-1

NASA/CNES TOPEX/Poseidon follow-on mission. Oceanography mission to monitor global ocean circulation, discover ties between the oceans and atmosphere, and improve global climate predictions. Instrumentation includes a dual frequency radar altimeter, radiometer, DORIS receiver, laser retro-reflector, and a GPS receiver for precise orbit determination.

JPL: Jason

Alcatel: Jason

VCL

The Vegetation Canopy Lidar (VCL) is part of the NASA GSFC Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Project. The primary goal of the mission is to characterise the 3d structure of the earth via landcover characterisation and topographic spot heights and transects determination. GPS, as well as satellite laser ranging, will be used for precise orbit determination.

Parks, H. (1999). e-mail, Spectrum Astro, Inc., 2 April.

NASA GSFC: ESSP Home Page

NASA GSFC: Vegetation Canopy Lidar

University of Maryland: Vegetation Canopy Lidar

BIRD

BIRD is a German Aerospace Center DLR micro-satellite project. The mission objectives comprise the development and operation of a new generation of imaging infrared sensors, as well as photogrammetric imaging of dedicated land areas for both scientific as well as technological objectives. As part of the BIRD Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) a Rockwell Collins 5 channel GPS receiver is applied to derive precise satellite position and velocity information. Also an onboard autonomous orbit determination process will filter the GPS fixes to derive smoothed satellite position values. Furthermore, orbit prediction will be performed onboard the satellite for control of the nadir pointing attitude and for geocoding of the collected CCD image lines.

Gill, E. (1999). e-mail, GSOC, 23 March.

DRL: BIRD Homepage

MetOp-1

The MetOp system is being designed by ESA for observational meteorology and climate monitoring similar to the NOAA Polar orbiting Environmental Satellite System. MetOp-1 is the first of the system. A GPS/GLONASS receiver is being built by ESA for on-board, real-time orbit determination.

Potti, J., J.C. Carmona, P. Bernedo and P. Silvestrin (1995). "An autonomous GNSS-based orbit determination system for low-earth observation satellites." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 173-182.

Riley, S., N. Howard, E. Aardoom, P. Daly and P. Silvestrin (1995). "A combined GPS/GLONASS high precision receiver for space applications." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 835-851.

Silvestrin, P. (199?). Development of a spaceborne GPS/GLONASS receiver for earth science applications. ?, ?: ?.

GRACE

Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) is a joint U.S. and German scientific satellite mission, and consists of two satellites in tandem formation loosely controlled, 100 to 400 km apart. The initial orbit altitude is approximately 450 km. This design will allow a new high-accuracy model of the earth's gravity field every 30 days for five years. GPS will be used for orbit determination and radio occultation determination.

Gill, E. (1999). e-mail, GSOC, 23 March.

NASA GSFC: GRACE

DLR GSOC: GRACE

FedSat-1

Federation Satellite One (FedSat-1) is an Australian scientific satellite. It is a microsatellite designed to conduct communications, space science, remote sensing and engineering experiments. GPS will be used for precise and real-time orbit determination, time synchronisation, and radio occultation.

CRCSS: FedSat

CRCSS - Queensland University of Technology: Satellite Systems Node

Walker, R. (1999). e-mail, CRCSS, Queensland University of Technology, 4 October.

Parks, H. (1999). e-mail, Spectrum Astro, Inc., 2 April.

ICESat

The ice, cloud and land evaluation satellite is being developed by NASA under the Earth Observing System (EOS) programfor measuring ice sheet mass balance, cloud and aerosol heights, vegetation and land topography. The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) is one instrument onboard. It's primary purpose is to study the mass balance of the polar ice sheets and their contributions to global sea level change. The instrument will also be used to map land surface topography and cloud top height. GPS will be used for orbit determination. Star camera couplers will be used to resolve laser pointing to the 1.5 arcsec level.

NASA GSFC: ICESat Home Page

CSR, University of Texas: ICESat/GLAS

BOLAS

The Bistatic Observations with Low Altitude Satellites mission under the direction of the Canadian Space Agency would measure ionospheric density irregularities, ions and electrons over 100 metres, and record ionospheric occultations with SGPS receivers. GPS would be used for time synchronisation, POD, real-time OD, and attitude determination. Mission currently paused.

BOLAS Home Page

James, H.G. (1997). "BOLAS: Bistatic Observations with Low Altitude Satellites." A proposal for space research in response to the small-payloads solicitation of July 1996 by the Canadian Space Agency, 10 January.

Bisnath, S.B. and R.B. Langley (1997). "An introduction to the proposed BOLAS mission for ionospheric research." Report presented to the IGS Analysis Center Workshop on Low Earth Orbiters and Site Specific Errors. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., U.S.A., 12 March - 14 March.

Columbus Laboratory

The Columbus Laboratory is a ESA proposed space station that would operate in conjuction with the international space station.

Ambrosius, B.A.C., E.T. Hesper amd K.F. Wakker (1993). "Application of the Global Positioning System for Hermes rendezvous navigation." Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 197-205.

Yunck, T. P. and W. G. Melborne (1989). "Geoscience from GPS tracking by earth satellites." International Association of Geodesy Symposia 102: Global Positioning System: An Overview, Ed. Bock, Y. and N. Leppard. IAG/IUGG, Edinburgh, Scotland, 3-12 August. The Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 351-369.

ESA: Columbus Laboratory

ESA / ATV

The ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will be used to service the International Space Station. Its is planned that GPS be used for ATV rendezvous with the station.

Frezet, M., H. Marcille, V. Pascal, J.M. Pairot, H. Barré, M. Cislaghi and U. Thomas (1995). "Relative GPS navigation for ATV rendezvous." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 269-278.

ESA: ATV

STEP

The Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle (STEP) is a joint ESA and NASA satellite, designed to test the Equivalence Principle, search for a new interaction between quantum-mechanical spin and ordinary matter, determine the constant of gravity G, and test the validity of the inverse square law of gravity. Eight differential accelerometers in a quartz block, cooled to 2 K with allow for these experiments. The GPS receiver and accelerometers will be used as a gradiometer.

Barlier, F., J.P. Blaser, G. Cavallo, T. Damour, R. Decher, C.W.F. Everitt, F. Fuligni, M. Lee, A. Nobili, K. Nordtvedt, P. Pace, R. Reinhard and P. Worden (1991). STEP Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle: Assessment study report. European Space Agency/National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Paris, France, January, SCI(94)4, 67 pp.

Muellerschoen, R.J., W.I. Bertiger and S.C. Wu (1993). "Gravity recovery analysis using GPS for STEP and a low-low satellite mission." Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 82, pp. 821-832.

Reinhard, R., Y.R. Jafry and R. Laurance (1994). "STEP - A Fundamental-Physics Laboratory in Space." ESA Journal, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 229-238.

Worden, P. (1994). Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle (STEP) - final technical report, Oct. 1991 - Sep. 1993. NASA-CR-196754.

Stanford University: STEP

STEP description at ESA/ESTEC.

NASA/STV

The purpose of this mission is to develop autonomous rendezvous and docking (ARD) capabilites for spacecraft. These capabilites will be required for construction, resupply and repair of permanent space facilities. GPS receivers are to be used for position and attitude determination on both servicing and permanent vehicles.

Automated Rendezvous and Capture (AR&C) Home Page

Bristol and UNB (1995). "Investigation of GPS Technology in Applications for Space Mechanics." Final contract report prepared by Bristol Aerospace Ltd., Winnipeg, Man. and the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, N.B., for the Directorate of Space Mechanics, Canadian Space Agency, St-Hubert, Que., March, 95 pp.

DiPrinzio, M.D. and R.H. Tolson (1994). "Evaluation of GPS position and attitude determination for automated rendezvous and docking missions." Final contract report prepaered by the Joint Institute for Advancement of Flight Sciences, Langley Research Center, George Washington University, Hampton, Virginia for NASA - Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, July, 84 pp.

Spartan Lite

Spartan Lite is being developed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as one of the next generation of Spartan carriers. The carriers are designed to provide easy access to space via the Space Shuttle. SGPS is used for positioning and attitude information.

NASA GSFC: Spartan Home Page

Orbit Maneuvering Vehicle and Orbit Transfer Vehicle

The Orbit Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) and Orbit Transfer Vehicle (OTV) were planned by NASA to be deployed from the Space Shuttle to higher orbits to retrieve and/or repair satellites and return to the Shuttle. The development of the spacecraft was cancelled.

McDowell, J. (1996). e-mail, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 16 July.

Yunck, T. P. and W. G. Melborne (1989). "Geoscience from GPS tracking by earth satellites." International Association of Geodesy Symposia 102: Global Positioning System: An Overview, Ed. Bock, Y. and N. Leppard. IAG/IUGG, Edinburgh, Scotland, 3-12 August. The Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 351-369.

MEDSAT

The MEDical SATellite (MEDSAT) is a project by the NASA - Ames Research Center (ARC), designed to use sensors to provide information that could be used to aid in the control of malaria. Remote sensing requitements would be filled by a visual and infared (VIS/IR) multispectral scanner and a SAR system. Attitude and position sensing would by accomplished with a Solar Aspect Sensor (SAS), a GPS receiver and laser gyros.

Slawski, J.J. and J.F. Vesecky (1992). "MEDSAT: a small satellite for malaria early warning and control." Small Satellite Technologies and Applications II, Proceedings of SPIE, Volume 169, Ed. B.J. Horais. The International Society for Optical Engineering, 21-22 April, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., pp. 24-37.

STENTOR

The Satellite Technologique pour Experminenter des Nouvelles Techniques en ORbite (STENTOR) is a CNES satellite, designed for the experimentation of new space techniques in orbit. It is proposed that GPS be used as an experimental secondary navigation sensor.

Ferrage, P., J.-L. Issler, G. Campan and J.-C. Durand (1995). "GPS techniques for navigation of geostationary satellites." Proceedings of the ION GPS-95, Institute of Navigation, Palm Springs, Calif, U.S.A., 12-15, Sept., pp. 257-268.

CESAR

The Central European Satellite for Advanced Research (CESAR) is a joint venture among the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Czech Rep., Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Experiments planned include accelerometry, earth magnetic field, electromagnetic wave radiation, and particle radiation tests. GPS is to be used for tracking and orbit determination.

Zielinski, J., P. Fraczyk, J. Kazmierski and M. Rutkowska (1994). "GPS on-board system for orbit determination of CESAR satellite." Proceedings of ION GPS-94, Institute of Navigation, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., 20-23 Sept., pp. 1263-1266.

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