The Space Force is launching lasers into orbit

The Space Force aims to better pinpoint the location of Earth's true centre using lasers on GPS satellites, slated to launch in 2025. A set of Laser Retroreflector Arrays, or LRAS, will be installed onto two GPS III satellites, SV9 and SV10, as part of NASA's Space Geodesy Program. The lasers are designed to make precise sub-centimetre measurements using a technique called Satellite Laser Ranging, which will allow researchers to more accurately determine Earth's centre.

- SAMANTHA MATHEWSON

On 6 May 2024, the LRAS were delivered to Lockheed Martin to be integrated with the satellites ahead of launch. The mission is a partnership between the Space Force, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and NASA. "We were able to add new capabilities to the GPS constellation years ahead of schedule while ensuring the billions of people who rely on our signals daily would be unaffected," said Space Force Colonel Andrew Menschner. "We expect LRAS to be standard on future GPS vehicles and are pleased that SV9 and SV10 will have the capability prior to launch."