The U.S. Space Force transferred Satellite Control Authority of the Global Positioning System (GPS) III Space Vehicle 07, to the 2nd Navigation Warfare Squadron, Mission Delta 31, operating at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.
Mission Delta 31 emphasizes providing, operating, and sustaining high-integrity Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities to protect our Nation’s interests and assure an unparalleled global unity.
Nicknamed “Sally Ride” on the production line, SV-07 is set healthy and available to global users on Jan. 22, bringing the GPS constellation to 31 active vehicles. It also marks the first time Satellite Control Authority transferred from the acquisition program to the operations squadron all under one Delta, due to new mission delta constructs.
The GPS III vehicle was launched on an accelerated timeline to meet warfighter needs through a Rapid Response Trailblazer mission conducted by Space Operations Command and Space Systems Command.
SV-07 embarked on its journey via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Delta 45 Complex, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on December 16, 2024.
The Rapid Response Trailblazer successfully achieved a complex effort across multiple Space Force and partner organizations. The mission involved pulling an existing GPS III satellite from storage, accelerating integration and launch vehicle readiness, and rapidly processing the craft for launch.
“This was an amazing effort across multiple teams and agencies,” said U.S. Space Force Col. Andrew Menschner, Mission Delta 31 commander, in a previous release. “This launch showed our ability to respond quickly to an operational need, such as an on-orbit vehicle failure of the GPS constellation, as well as demonstrating our willingness to challenge traditional timelines associated with launches in response to a realistic scenario.”
