The U.S. Space Force’s sixth Global Positioning System III space vehicle, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has received operational acceptance approval and achieved satellite control authority handover less than a month after it launch.
Space Systems Command said Thursday it has transferred control of the GPS III Space Vehicle 06, nicknamed “Amelia Earhart,” to the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado.
“The Operational Acceptance of GPS III SV06 further contributes to SSC’s on-going modernization efforts, as it brings our overall suite of capabilities ever closer to our target dates for deployment to the warfighter,” said Col. Heather J. Anderson, transition director within SSC’s Military and Communication Positioning, Navigation and Timing directorate.
GPS III SV06 is the latest operational satellite to join the Space Force’s GPS PNT constellation.
The Lockheed-built satellite launched on Jan. 18 aboard SpaceX‘s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
