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U.S. Space Force launches expedited GPS mission using Falcon 9 rocket
- The latest third-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite launched to orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Monday night.
- Onboard was the GPS 3 Space Vehicle (SV) 07, marking a first-of-its-kind mission for the U.S. Space Force.
- The spacecraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was originally scheduled to launch onboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket.
- However, to get the satellite on orbit in a more expedited fashion, multiple portions of the Space Force and Lockheed Martin, worked to pivot from one rocket to another in a shortened timeframe.
- The spacecraft will continue to operate out of Lockheed Martin's Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center until its official acceptance into the current operational GPS 31-satellite constellation.
- The shortened timeframe provided logistical challenges, such as the required 2,337-mile road transfer from Lockheed Martin's facilities in Colorado to Florida since military aircraft was tied up in response operations related to Hurricane Milton.
- The comparatively fast pivot from one launch provider to another is an example of rapid responsiveness, which is highly important for the government according to the recent Space Force Association's Spacepower Conference.
- The block three GPS satellites have a predicted lifespan of about 15 years and provide up to eight times more anti-jamming power than GPS II space vehicles.
- This series of spacecraft are nicknamed after famous explorers and pioneers, with SV-07 being named 'Sally Ride,' the first American woman in space.
- The comparatively fast pivot from one launch provider to another is an example of what Space Force leaders emphasized during the recent Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference as highly important for the government: rapid responsiveness in space.
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