Space Force accelerates GPS launch plans, turns to SpaceX for rapidity

The US Space Force is accelerating its timeline to launch a new GPS satellite, signaling a shift in both rocket provider and mission tempo, as reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine.

GPS III Space Vehicle-08, a next-generation navigation satellite, is now slated to lift off no earlier than late May aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base. Originally assigned to United Launch Alliance (ULA), the satellite's launch was shifted to cut preparation time from two years to just three months, according to Space Systems Command.

ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, has played a key role in US national security space launches. However, its new Vulcan Centaur rocket—meant to replace aging Atlas V and Delta IV systems—faced multiple delays due to technical issues and a protracted certification process. Though Vulcan successfully launched in early 2024 and earned certification in March, ULA now faces a backlog of missions and limited near-term launch availability, prompting the Space Force to temporarily shift critical payloads like GPS III to more readily available SpaceX rockets.

“This mission represents an outstanding collaboration across multiple teams and agencies,” said Col. Andrew Menschner, commander of Mission Delta 31. “It highlights our ability to rapidly deploy an additional M-Code-capable satellite.”

The change continues a trend that began with a similar reassignment in December, when the Space Force launched GPS III SV-07 on a SpaceX rocket after experiencing certification delays with ULA’s Vulcan Centaur. That launch was prepped in just five months—fast by Pentagon standards.

Equipped with M-code, a jam-resistant signal exclusive to military users, GPS III satellites bolster secure positioning and timing. The satellites can beam signals directly to specific areas, a capability earlier generations lacked.

This rapid deployment aligns with the Space Force's broader push for “Tactically Responsive Space,” a doctrine aimed at launching critical assets on short notice. While the GPS missions remain part of the higher-assurance National Security Space Launch program, their expedited timelines suggest a more agile approach to space operations is gaining traction.