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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