SpaceX to launch GPS III satellite for Space Force on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
The Falcon 9 will lift off with the Lockheed Martin-designed and -built satellite during a window that extends from 1:23 p.m. to 2:08 p.m. for this GPS III-7 mission, a Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory indicates.
"This second accelerated launch for GPS III is a continued demonstration of the United States Space Force's capability to rapidly reconstitute the constellation, should a need arise to do so," Space Force Col. Andrew Menschner said during a May 28 media roundtable.
"With 38 GPS satellites now on orbit, 31 of which operate on a daily basis, we have a healthy redundancy in the constellation," Menschner said.
"And that's great news for our joint military force and the 6 billion civilian users that rely on GPS for global flight operations, other means of travel, commerce, banking, farming and enhanced 911 capabilities that get help to people where they need it."
Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral
However, Mark Burger, launch weather officer with the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, said "weather will be a watch item" on launch day — sea breeze-fueled thunderstorms have swept across East-Central Florida throughout the week. He said there is a 45% chance of favorable weather for liftoff.
The National Weather Service predicts a 70% chance of precipitation May 30 at the Space Force installation, with showers likely and thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny skies should otherwise prevail, with a high near 92 and southwest wind of 10 mph to 15 mph gusting to 20 mph.
In mid-December, SpaceX launched Lockheed Martin's seventh GPS III satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station into orbit 12,550 miles above the Earth's surface. Touted as RRT-1 — or Rapid Response Trailblazer — this Space Force mission slashed the pre-launch planning and preparatory period from two years to less than five months as a national security demonstration.
Now, Space Force officials expect to complete that process within three months for the upcoming launch of Lockheed's eighth GPS III satellite.
'This launch executes a launch vehicle trade of the GPS III-7 mission from Vulcan to a Falcon 9 rocket, and swaps a later GPS IIIF-1 mission from Falcon Heavy to Vulcan, showcasing our ability to launch in three months, compared to the typical 24 months,' Space Force Col. Jim Horne said in a press release.
"It highlights another instance of the Space Force's ability to complete high priority launches on a rapid timescale, which demonstrates the capability to respond to emergent constellation needs as rapidly as Space Vehicle readiness allows," Horne said.
The recent wave of GPS III satellites is equipped with M-code technology — "a critical warfighter capability," per a Lockheed Martin press release.
"M-Code is an advanced, new signal designed to improve anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, as well as increase secure access to military GPS signals for U.S. and allied armed forces," the release said.
"GPS III space vehicles provide up to eight times more anti-jamming power than GPS II space vehicles, and M-code has been in operational acceptance since 2020.
"GPS satellites provide essential navigation for U.S. military assets, operational troops, and field supply deliveries while powering global financial markets, transportation, utilities, agriculture, construction and ride-share services."
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX to launch Lockheed-built GPS satellite from Cape Canaveral
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