SpaceX promptly uplifted the USSF, Lockheed Martin-built, GPS III Space Vehicle 06 (GPS II SV-06) to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, January 18th.
The first stage booster supporting this mission had previously launched Crew-5 and, as part of this mission, successfully re-landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The U.S. Space Force’s newest Global Positioning System (GPS) III Space Vehicle 06 (SV06) satellite has been rolled out to Space Launch Complex-40 for an early Wednesday morning, January 18th., launch.
The 15-minute launch window opens at 7:09 a.m., Eastern Time, (4:09 a.m. Pacific), with a live feed starting approximately 15 minutes before launch and conclude approximately 30 minutes afterwards. A livestream of the mission can be viewed at www.spacex.com.
GPS III SV06 will augment the current GPS constellation that is comprised of 31 operational spacecraft operating in MEO at an altitude of approximately 20,200 km (12,550 miles) in six orbital planes. Each satellite circles the Earth twice per day. GPS is the premier space-based provider of positioning, navigation, and timing services for more than four billion users worldwide.
SpaceX will recover the booster for reuse on a future launch. The use of previously flown boosters has resulted in substantial savings to the taxpayer and adds flexibility in managing assets.
This latest generation of GPS satellite boasts a 15-year design life — 25 percent longer than the previous generation of GPS satellites on orbit and brings new capabilities to users such as the new L1C civilian signal, which opens the window for future interoperability with international satellite navigation systems.
“SV06 is a key contribution to Space Systems Command’s ongoing GPS modernization effort, bringing about new capabilities to both civilian and military users around the globe. Our progress is only possible due to the close collaboration between our GPS III program office and contractor teammates,” said Cordell DeLaPena Jr., program executive officer, Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Directorate. “GPS III satellites increase our ability to provide military and civilian users with more robust and accurate signals that enable everyday operations such as navigation and search and rescue operations. This will be the fifth launch of a GPS III satellite using a SpaceX Falcon 9 since December 2018 and the last GPS mission procured under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 1A contract, awarded in 2018.”
“We’re thrilled to have our team assembled here on the Space Coast, ready to launch another GPS III satellite,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy Jr., program executive officer for SSC Assured Access to Space (AATS), headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. “With each national security launch, we continue to strengthen America’s capabilities and its deterrence in the face of growing threats while adding stability to a very dynamic world. It’s what we do in the Space Force, and we take that charge seriously.”
