Astro Aerospace delivers monopole JIB antennas for first two GPS III navigation and guidance satellites

CARPINTERIA, Calif., 30 Aug. 2011. Satellite designers at the Lockheed Martin Corp. Commercial Space Systems segment in Newtown, Pa., needed antennas for the first two next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS III) navigation and guidance satellites. They found their solution from Astro Aerospace in Carpinteria, Calif., a strategic business unit of Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) in Falls Church, Va.Astro Aerospace delivered 16 self-deploying, monopole JIB antennas for the first two GPS III satellites that Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems is building. Astro Aerospace has delivered more than 1,000 JIB assemblies for the previous-generation GPS IIF and GPS IIR satellites, company officials say.The U.S. Air Force develops, maintains and operates the Global Positioning System, a 24-satellite constellation on-orbit to provide worldwide navigational information. The first GPS III is scheduled to join the on-orbit constellation in 2014.

JIB antennas can be tailored to specific applications, Astro Aerospace officials say. The antennas are available in monopole diameters from one-half-inch to one and three-eight inches and lengths to 25 feet. Each antenna stows into a four-inch by four-inch by two-and-a-half-inch canister.

For more information contact Astro Aerospace online at www.as.northropgrumman.com/businessventures/astroaerospace.

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