Air Force Space Command has decided that Global Positioning System Satellite Vehicle Number 15 has finally succumb to old age—after serving for more than twice its expected lifespan. USAF launched SVN-15 on Oct. 1, 1990, with a life expectancy of about seven years. The satellite’s controllers, 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., discovered last year that SVN-15 had developed “heart trouble,” reports journalist SSgt. Don Branum. Its operational clocks became unable to maintain “their signal within specs,” said Lt. Col. Kurt Kuntzelman, 2nd SOPS commander. On March 14, his squadron turned SVN-15 over to 1st SOPS to perform end-of-life testing and move it into a disposal orbit.
A recent Air Force contract to buy up to $50 million worth of small drones from Anduril Industries may soon allow the service’s special operations command to transform its MQ-9 Reapers into drone-launching motherships.
