was awarded a contract in 1974 to build the first eight Block I satellites. In 1978 the contract was extended to build an additional three Block I satellites. Beginning with Navstar 1 in 1978, ten "Block I" GPS satellites were successfully launched. One satellite, "Navstar 7", was lost due to an unsuccessful launch on 18 December 1981. The Block I satellites were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base using Atlas rockets that were converted intercontinental ballistic missiles. The satellites were built by Rockwell International at the same plant in Seal Beach, CA where the S-II second stages of the Saturn V rockets were built. The Block I series consisted of the concept validation satellites and reflected various stages of system development. Lessons learnt from the 11 satellites in the series were incorporated into the fully operational Block II series. Dual solar arrays supplied over 400 watts of power, charging NiCd batteries for operations in Earth's shadow. S-band communications were used for control and telemetry, while an UHF channel provided cross-links between spacecraft. A hydrazine propulsion system was used for orbital correction. The payload included two L-bandnavigation signals at 1575.42 MHz and 1227.60 MHz. The final Block I launch was conducted on 9 October 1985, but the last Block I satellite was not taken out of service until 18 November 1995, well past its 5-year design life.
Block II satellites
Initial Block II series
The Block II satellites were the first full scale operational GPS satellites, designed to provide 14 days of operation without any contact from the control segment. The prime contractor was Rockwell International, which built a SVN 12 qualification vehicle after an amendment to the Block I contract. In 1983 the company was awarded an additional contract to build 28 Block II/IIA satellites. Block II spacecraft were 3-axis stabilized, with ground pointing using reaction wheels. Two solar arrays supplied 710 watts of power, while S band communications were used for control and telemetry. A UHF channel was used for cross-links between spacecraft. A hydrazine propulsion system was used for orbital correction. The payload included two L band navigation signals at 1575.42 MHz and 1227.60 MHz. Each spacecraft carried 2 rubidium and 2 cesium clocks, as well as nuclear detonation detection sensors, leading to a mass of. The first of the nine satellites in the initial Block II series was launched February 14, 1989; the last was launched October 1, 1990. The final satellite of the series to be taken out of service was decommissioned on March 15, 2007, well past its 7.5 year design life.
Block IIA series
The Block IIA satellites were slightly improved versions of the Block II series, designed to provide 180 days of operation without contact from the control segment. However, the mass increased to Nineteen satellites in the Block IIA series were launched, the first on November 26, 1990 and the last on November 6, 1997. The last satellite of the Block IIA, broadcast on the PRN 18 signal. It was removed from service October 9, 2019. Two of the satellites in this series, numbers 35 and 36, are equipped with laser retro-reflectors, allowing them to be tracked independently of their radio signals, providing unambiguous separation of clock and ephemeris errors.
Block IIR series
The Block IIR series are "replenishment" satellites developed by Lockheed Martin. Each satellite weighs at launch and once on orbit. The first attempted launch of a Block IIR satellite failed on January 17, 1997 when the Delta II rocket exploded 12 seconds into flight. The first successful launch was on July 23, 1997. Twelve satellites in the series were successfully launched. At least ten satellites in this block carried an experimental S-band payload for search and rescue, known as Distress Alerting Satellite System.
Block IIR-M series
The Block IIR-M satellites include a new military signal and a more robust civil signal, known as L2C. There are eight satellites in the Block IIR-M series, which were built by Lockheed Martin. The first Block IIR-M satellite was launched on September 26, 2005. The final launch of a IIR-M was on August 17, 2009.
Block IIF series
The Block IIF series are "follow-on" satellites developed by Boeing. The satellite has a mass of 1,630 kilograms and a design life of 12 years. The first Block IIF space vehicle was launched in May 2010 on a Delta IV rocket. The twelfth and final IIF launch was February 5, 2016.
Block III satellites
Block IIIA series
GPS Block IIIA is the first series of third-generation GPS satellites, incorporating new signals and broadcasting at higher power levels. In September 2016, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract option for two more Block IIIA satellites, setting the total number of GPS IIIA satellites to ten. On December 23, 2018, the first GPS III satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. On August 22, 2019, the second GPS III satellite was launched aboard a Delta IV. The third GPS III satellite was launched on June 30, 2020, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
Block IIIF series
The Block IIIF series is the second set of GPS Block III satellites, which will consist of up to 22 space vehicles. Block IIIF launches are expected to begin no earlier than 2025 and continue through 2034.
