[11-5-07 – Satellite Today] The GPS Block 2R satellite launched Oct. 17 has been declared fully operational following checkout by the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin, the company announced Nov. 5.
    The satellite, the fourth launched in a series of eight, brings new capabilities to military and civilian users of the GPS system. Each GPS 2R-M satellite features a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal.
    The fifth of the satellites is scheduled to be launched Dec. 20.