SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission

Re:SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission by marvin on Monday December 24, 2018 @03:46PM (#18754188)

This sattelite was some 8000kgs, vs. 4000-ish kgs for the previous-generation GPS satellites, if I remember correctly.

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Re:SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission by Roritharr on Monday December 24, 2018 @04:03PM (#18754259)

Any idea why their weight increased so much?

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Re:SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission by nradov on Monday December 24, 2018 @04:08PM (#18754278)

The latest generation of GPS satellites has more antennas and more powerful transmitters. This improves signal reception and reduces the impact of jamming.

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Re:SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission by walrus01 on Monday December 24, 2018 @04:41PM (#18754416)

GPS as received by a small hockey-puck sized antenna is a VERY weak signal, like -140 to -150dB. It only works because the channel size is so narrow and the modulation is very rudimentary. Having a satellite with much larger photovoltaic arrays and really powerful transmitters is one method to overcome regional jamming.

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Re:SpaceX launches first U.S. national security space mission by tgsovlerkhgsel on Monday December 24, 2018 @09:59PM (#18755590)

I wouldn't be surprised if the satellites had additional, classified capabilities.

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