Lockheed Martin Global Positioning System III Processing Facility

Lockheed Martin Space Systems

Littleton, Colorado

Built in Lockheed Martin’s former rocket assembly building, the new GPS III Processing Facility (GPF) has nearly 50,000 SF of assembly and test areas for new GPS III satellites. The facility creates an unparalleled production line, allowing for extremely efficient manufacturing of GPS III satellites. The facility includes:

  • A 32,900 SF, SCIF-level, Class 100,000 clean room high bay which serves as the “factory floor” and houses assembly stations, a solar array test fixture, and a space vehicle transfer fixture
  • A 960 SF thermal vacuum chamber that simulates the conditions of space for testing purposes
  • A 2,880 SF, two-story anechoic test chamber that allows for testing of antennas and telemetry equipment without sound or electromagnetic interference

The GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving needs of military, commercial, and civilian users worldwide. GPS III satellites will deliver better accuracy and improved anti-jamming power while enhancing the spacecraft’s design life and adding a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems.

As the project’s electrical engineer, The RMH Group designed normal and backup power systems, lighting, grounding, fire alarm system detection and notification, lightning protection, access control, and public address systems for this critical facility.