The Development of GPS Satellites and Improvement of Signals Since the launch of GPS navigation satellites in 1978, their types have evolved from Block I, II, and IIA to Block IIR. The Block I, II, and IIA satellites, totaling 40, were manufactured by Rockwell International, while the 20 Block IIR satellites were made by Lockheed Martin. In 1996, Boeing acquired Rockwell's aerospace and defense business and is currently producing 33 more advanced Block IIF satellites. The U.S. is also considering the development of a new generation of GPS satellites (GPS-III) that will use spot beams.