Official U.S. Government information about the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and related topics
Space Segment
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The GPS space segment consists of a constellation of satellites transmitting radio signals to users. The United States is committed to maintaining the availability of at least 24 operational GPS satellites, 95% of the time. To ensure this commitment, the Air Force has been flying 31 operational GPS satellites for the past few years.
Constellation Arrangement
GPS satellites fly in medium Earth orbit (MEO) at an altitude of approximately 20,200 km (12,550 miles). Each satellite circles the Earth twice a day.
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Expandable 24-Slot satellite constellation, as defined in the SPS Performance Standard.
The satellites in the GPS constellation are arranged into six equally-spaced orbital planes surrounding the Earth. Each plane contains four "slots" occupied by baseline satellites. This 24-slot arrangement ensures users can view at least four satellites from virtually any point on the planet.
The Air Force normally flies more than 24 GPS satellites to maintain coverage whenever the baseline satellites are serviced or decommissioned. The extra satellites may increase GPS performance but are not considered part of the core constellation.
In June 2011, the Air Force successfully completed a GPS constellation expansion known as the "Expandable 24" configuration. Three of the 24 slots were expanded, and six satellites were repositioned, so that three of the extra satellites became part of the constellation baseline. As a result, GPS now effectively operates as a 27-slot constellation with improved coverage in most parts of the world. Learn more at AF.mil
Technical details about the orbits, coverage, and performance of the GPS satellite constellation are documented in the GPS Performance Standards. View
Return to top of pageCurrent and Future Satellite Generations
The GPS constellation is a mix of old and new satellites. The following table summarizes features of the current and future generations of GPS satellites, including Block IIA (2nd generation, "Advanced"), Block IIR ("Replenishment"), Block IIR(M) ("Modernized"), Block IIF ("Follow-on"), and GPS III.
As of December 11, 2015, there were 31 operational satellites in the GPS constellation. This does not include the decommissioned GPS satellites ("residuals") kept in orbit in case there is a need to reactivate them. The operational satellite count is broken down by type in the table below. For more up-to-date constellation status information, visit the NAVCEN website. Go there
| Legacy Satellites | Modernized Satellites | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Block IIA | Block IIR | Block IIR(M) | Block IIF | GPS III |
| 1 operational |
12 operational |
7 operational |
11 operational |
In production |
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Developments
GPS Block IIF
All 12 satellites in the GPS IIF series have completed production. The Air Force plans to launch the remaining IIF satellites by 2016.
Update The Air Force launched the eleventh GPS IIF satellite into space on October 31, 2015. It became available to users on December 9, 2015. Video courtesy ULA.
- 2, 19 Space Operations Squadrons accept satellite control authority of SVN-73 in record time (af.mil)
- GPS IIF Satellite Successfully Launched from Cape Canaveral (af.mil)
- 45th Space Wing supports Air Force GPS IIF-11 launch aboard an Atlas V (af.mil)
- Air Force set to launch next-to-last GPS IIF satellite (af.mil)
- ULA Launch mission booklet (PDF)
The tenth GPS IIF satellite launched on July 15, 2015, and became available to users on August 12, 2015.
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GPS III
On June 4, 2014, the Air Force issued a Sources Sought Notice seeking responses from alternate prime contractors capable of meeting the government's requirements for GPS III.
On March 31, 2014, the Air Force announced a contract modification for Lockheed Martin to produce the seventh and eighth GPS III satellites. The Air Force previously announced a separate contract modification to purchase long-lead items for those satellites.
On March 11, 2014, the Air Force released its FY 2015 budget, requesting procurement funds for one GPS III satellite instead of two as in prior years. Learn more and track congressional response on our FY 2015 Funding page. Go there
The Air Force exercised options for the fifth and sixth GPS III satellites in February and December 2013, and for the third and fourth satellites in January 2012.
- Dec 2013 contract info at defense.gov
- Feb 2013 contract info at defense.gov
- Jan 2012 contract info at defense.gov
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