Comments on: Rocket Lab launches GPS-type demo satellite for Europe https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/rocket-lab-launches-gps-type-demo-satellite-for-europe/ Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:16:56 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Yngvar https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/rocket-lab-launches-gps-type-demo-satellite-for-europe/#comment-1630242 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:16:56 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=122701#comment-1630242 I remember when it first appeared the US system was called Navstar-GPS. When its ‘competitors’ came online the then shortened GPS name had stuck, so the whole system of nav-aid satellites (GLONASS, Galileo etc.) had to be called GNSS.

The EU Galileo system was originally intended to facilitate road pricing, with hauliers required to subscribe to the Galileo service and paying a fee for miles driven (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4552132.stm. Article from 2005), with a plan to roll this pay-as-you-drive program to all road users. Hasn’t happened yet. I don’t now the current state of play. People hate it.

]]> By: GeorgeC https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/rocket-lab-launches-gps-type-demo-satellite-for-europe/#comment-1630234 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:26:15 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=122701#comment-1630234 Go Rocket Lab! Looks like maybe first time they lead Russia by two launches to orbit. The booster work for the military must be helping the factory for engines and other parts run more efficiently.

]]> By: Surly https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/rocket-lab-launches-gps-type-demo-satellite-for-europe/#comment-1630202 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:55:42 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=122701#comment-1630202 From what I’ve read, the payload was actually two cubesats, one 12U and one 16U.

]]> By: Peter Monta https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/rocket-lab-launches-gps-type-demo-satellite-for-europe/#comment-1630200 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:43:03 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=122701#comment-1630200 The launch carried two separate spacecraft in the Celeste series. Each was built by a different manufacturer. Hope they do well. LEO-PNT is heating up: Centispace (China) and now ESA just in the last month, and Xona (USA) later this year. (If we ignore the elephant in the room, namely Starlink, but for now it’s just a signal of opportunity, not a declared PNT service.)

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