Lockheed Martin Corporation

09/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2026 10:07

4 Ways GPS Satellites Are Being Engineered for the Future

Four Ways GPS Satellites Are Being Engineered for the Future

September 15, 2026

The next generation of spacecraft assembly starts with a screen, not a wrench.

Innovation drives every step of GPS IIIF production. From augmented reality (AR) goggles, immersive virtual reality (VR) labs, on-demand 3D printing and living digital twins, digital tools are slashing timelines, wiping out repetitive work and detecting potential challenges long before physical hardware is ever involved - enabling our teams to work smarter.

With today's threat environment, staying on schedule is not enough. The mission depends on us to accelerate capability. Digital tools let us work smarter, ensuring GPS meets critical timelines for the nation's needs.
Fang Qian
Vice President, Global Positioning System
Each immersive tool redefines what's possible, equipping our engineers with new ways to innovate, adapt and deliver rapid results.

1. AR Takes Assembly from Days to Hours

A single GPS satellite carries more than 200 precision-placed Velcro fasteners, each measured down to a millimeter. Previously, technicians spent several days measuring, marking and verifying placement of each fastener,

Now, AR-enabled smart goggles overlay exact fastener locations in real time, removing the need for manual measurement.

The result?

  • 52% reduction in execution time
  • Near zero errors and rework
  • Immediate confidence that every install matches the design

By targeting high-impact operations, AR is reshaping GPS workflow, maximizing efficiency.

Caption: Engineers using AR goggles to assist with Velcro placement on the satellite

2. Mastering Production with VR

At Lockheed Martin's Denver-based Computer Hardware in the Loop (CHIL) lab, our technicians can simulate production and processes long before they ever touch the real product.

VR empowers our engineers to:

  • Practice disassembly and re-assembly of the hardware in a risk-free environment
  • Identify integration challenges early, preventing costly roadblocks
  • Simulate unusual scenarios, like receiving delayed parts, to validate access, and determine proper tooling

3. Driving Down Costs with 3D Printing

We sent the first 3D-printed Global Positioning System (GPS) metallic part to space aboard GPS III SV10 earlier this year. The 3D-printed omni antenna, which enables communication relay, proved that producing the antenna in this way realizes a multitude of benefits including:

  • 40% reduction in production cost versus traditional machining
  • Simplifying a complex manufacturing process down to a single automated process
  • Production scalability across the entire GPS IIIF fleet
Caption: 3D printed omni antenna

4. Real-Time Alignment with Digital Twins

Cutting edge advancements, like using high-fidelity digital twins that mirror the satellite's physical state in real time, are currently being piloted by our experts. Leveraging a living digital twin equips our team to:

  • Run simulations and software updates on the virtual model before implementing aboard hardware
  • Keep the physical spacecraft and digital counterpart in lockstep from early production through launchpad and beyond

Lockheed Martin continues to invest in emerging technology that makes the systems we rely on safer, more connected, and future-ready.

Caption: Digital twin simulation
Lockheed Martin Corporation published this content on September 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 15, 2026 at 16:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]