GPS NAVSAT (Navigation Satellite) program aims to provide affordable capabilities to aid end-users located in tough-to-reach environments. The goal of the 18-month initial study is to identify innovative ways to increase affordability and sustainment of the GPS program through payload weight reduction, size and power. The GPS NAVSAT will maintain similar performance capability to the existing GPS system, but will aid GPS end-users in signal-constrained environments, located in urban or mountainous terrain.

   “The development of smaller satellites in terms of size, weight, power and cost — will yield greater affordability for our customers,” ITT Exelis Geospatial Systems Vice President and General Manager Mark Pisani said in a statement. “A smaller satellite size will allow for improved launch vehicle selection flexibility.”