Snapshot
SNAPSHOT: Mars Missions
The first attempts to reach Mars began more than 60 years ago, when the former Soviet Union launched two probes to Mars. Both failed to reach Earth orbit. The success… 2018 – U.S. Civil Space Budgets – Snapshot
Seven U.S. civil government agencies have space line items, if not subordinate space agencies, in their budget: the NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation…
2018 – U.S. National Security Space Budgets – Snapshot
Space technologies are a vital asset to the United States military across air, land, sea, and cyberspace. All four branches under the Department of Defense (DoD) – the Air Force…
2018 – Galileo Ground Networks – Snapshot
Responsibility for the operation of the Galileo constellation’s ground system moved in 2018 from the European Space Agency (ESA) to the European Global Navigation Satellite System (EGNSS) Agency (GSA). The…
2018 – GPS Ground Networks – Snapshot
In 2018, the USAF continued GPS operations with ground equipment that is decades old. The number of command and control antennas (which the USAF uses to send GPS satellite commands…
2018 – Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) – Snapshot
Japan’s Cabinet Office continues to operate all four satellites of QZSS (also known as Michibiki), the country’s PNT constellation. QZSS is a regional PNT system solely catering to Japan’s population.…
2018 – Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) – Snapshot
India launched one Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) satellite to complete its Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) in 2018. This new satellite brings the number of operational IRNSS satellites…
2018 – Global Positioning System (GPS) – Snapshot
The U.S. maintained 31 operational GPS satellites during 2018, the same number operational during 2017. While that number of operational satellites is seven more than the minimum number of GPS…
2018 – Global Navigation Satellites System (GLONASS) – Snapshot
For 2018, Russia maintained its 2017 number of operational GLONASS PNT satellites, 24; these satellites are also known as Uragan. However, because China and the EU/ESA increased their overall numbers…
2018 – Galileo – Snapshot
In contrast to the PNT systems operated by other nations (except Japan), two European civil government organizations (the EU) and the ESA) share acquisition, management and operation of the Galileo…