The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch its ninth third-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), on the night of January 26, 2026. This mission will utilize a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, following a decision to shift the satellite from being launched by a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket. The launch is scheduled to occur from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:42:23 p.m. EST (04:42:23 UTC on January 27).
The GPS 3-9 mission is critical, as it features advanced M-Code technology designed to enhance accuracy and resilience against jamming, improving capabilities for military operations. Two key commands are overseeing the mission: the Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Combat Forces Command (CFC). SSC’s System Delta 80 manages the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, while CFC’s Mission Delta 31 coordinates satellite processing with Lockheed Martin, the satellite’s manufacturer.
Launch preparations faced a slight delay, initially set for January 25, due to concerns regarding recovery weather conditions, influenced by a major winter storm affecting parts of the United States. The 45th Weather Squadron has indicated a 40 percent chance of favorable conditions during the launch window, with specific concerns about wind speeds at liftoff and recovery weather.
Mission Details and Significance
SpaceX will employ the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1096 for this mission. This booster will be making its fifth flight, having previously completed missions for NASA and other clients. Approximately 8.5 minutes after launch, the booster is expected to land on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean, marking SpaceX’s 141st landing on that vessel and the 564th overall for the company.
This launch represents SpaceX’s second national security flight of the year, following the NROL-105 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office on January 16. The GPS 3-9 mission also highlights a trend where the Space Force has opted to transfer several satellite launches from ULA’s Vulcan to SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Under the NSSL Phase 2 contract, which totals approximately $4.5 billion for ULA and $4 billion for SpaceX, both companies were awarded various GPS missions.
The decision to shift the launch of SV09 from ULA to SpaceX is not unprecedented. This marks the third such instance where the Space Force has opted for a Falcon 9 launch over a Vulcan rocket, demonstrating a commitment to flexibility in launch operations. USSF Col. Ryan Hiserote, SYD 80 Commander and NSSL program manager, noted, “Our commitment to keeping things flexible – programmatically and contractually – means that we can pivot when necessary to changing circumstances.”
The Broader Context of GPS Technology
The GPS constellation remains integral to numerous sectors, including aviation, communications, finance, and agriculture. It plays a vital role in supporting military operations and enabling critical services across various technologies. The SV09 satellite is named after Col. Ellison Onizuka, a U.S. Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut, who tragically lost his life in the Challenger disaster 40 years ago this week.
In December 2024, the Space Force made a similar switch by launching the GPS 3 SV07 satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket, as Vulcan was still in the certification process. The Space Force’s ability to adapt launch assignments underlines its focus on delivering capabilities effectively and efficiently to its operations.
As preparations continue for the GPS 3-9 launch, the collaboration between the Space Force and its launch service providers reflects a broader strategy aimed at enhancing national security capabilities through advanced satellite technology.
