SpaceX launched a GPS III SVO8 satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral, FL on May 30. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) mission preparations proceeded on an accelerated timeline to add the SV08 to the constellation.
In press comments, Col. Andrew Menschner, underscored the need for accelerated launch is to mitigate increasing GPS jamming and interference. “There are today 38 GPS satellites in orbit, 31 of which operate on a daily basis. We have a healthy redundancy in the constellation. But the addition of SV-08 allows the constellation to build resistance against those who would try to interfere with GPS signals.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship pic.twitter.com/mzIcVUqhOC
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 2025
The SV08 launch is the second consecutive launch using the SpaceX Falcon 9, rather than the initially planned ULA Vulcan, due to delays. The last Falcon 9 launch of GPS III SV07 was on December 16. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command executed an accelerated timeline to meet a specific warfighter need through a Rapid Response Trailblazer launch. In both the May 30 and December 16 launches, Space Force collaborated closely with its partners Lockheed Martin and SpaceX to achieve the unprecedented speed to launch.
“This launch was another remarkable achievement that highlights the Space Force’s ability to execute high priority launches on a rapid timescale. We began planning at launch minus three months, even faster than RRT-1,” said USSF Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader, Launch Execution for SSC’s Assured Access to Space organization. “It also demonstrates the flexibility of our launch service providers.”
In the forthcoming final two GPS III missions, ULA Vulcan is set to launch the Lockheed Martin manufactured satellites, as well as the inaugural flight of the next-generation GPS IIIF satellite.
