Summary: A National Security Space Launch (NSSL) class mission lifted a second Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle to orbit on a rapid response schedule in three months, demonstrating its flexibility and readiness for both Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command , once again marching to an accelerated timeline, successfully placed another Global Positioning System (GPS) M-code satellite into orbit. The team, working in collaboration with SpaceX, launched the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) GPS III-7 mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Space Vehicle (SV)-08 into orbit, at 1:37 p.m. EDT (10:37 a.m. PDT) today from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
SV-08 is nicknamed Ms. Creola Katherine Johnson, in honor of the American mathematician whose groundbreaking calculations of orbital mechanics at NASA were instrumental to the success of early U.S. manned spaceflights. The GPS III satellite, equipped with M-code technology, provides the warfighter with a capability that is three-times more accurate, and eight-times more resistant to jamming. This effort ensures rapid delivery of modernized Precision, Navigation, and Timing capabilities to the Joint Force.
This mission again demonstrated a fast-moving, collaborative effort across multiple Space Force organizations to draw an existing GPS III satellite from storage, accelerate integration of the satellite and launch vehicle, and rapidly process it for launch. Learning from the success of the Rapid Response Trailblazer launch on Falcon 9 last December, the teams followed that with a shorter, three-month schedule for SV08 – a schedule 40% faster than RRT-1.
“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.”
For SpOC, the space vehicle leads in Mission Delta 31 mirrored the performance of their launch counterparts, accelerating satellite pre-launch processing, resulting in a schedule reduction from their typical six-months to just three months. This included close coordination with Lockheed Martin Colorado to bring SV-08 from storage to begin the processing regimen on the shorter schedule.
“Today’s launch showed our ability to respond to an operational need, such as an on-orbit vehicle failure within the GPS constellation,” said USSF Col. Andrew Menschner, SpOC MD 31 commander. “This was a huge success which shows our team’s commitment to push traditional launch timelines and get new technology on orbit.”
“Every launch makes the GPS constellation more accurate and resilient,” Menschner said. “With 31 active vehicles, seven on orbit in reserve status, and two GPS III vehicles completed and ready for launch, the constellation is healthy and ready to support the six billion people around the world who use our capabilities every day.”
This launch campaign is the first GPS mission following the RRT-1 mission last December. RRT-1 set the bar for NSSL accelerated launches, putting GPS III’s SV-07 into orbit on a record start-to-finish launch in five months and now surpassed by the GPS III-7 (SV-08) mission in only three months.
“We’ve built on the success and lessons learned from RRT-1 and are continuing to advance our capabilities with this second, even faster-paced GPS launch,” said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, chief of Falcon Systems and Operations, and mission director for this launch. “Our teams are absolutely mission-focused and alongside our excellent launch service providers, we provide a very robust national launch capability. Both the launch and spacecraft personnel worked together at speed, showcasing the drive to achieve this schedule without compromising mission success. We’re proud of the team and everyone’s great work that resulted in the important capability we’ve put on orbit for the joint warfighter.”
About SSC
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.
About AATS
Assured Access to Space (AATS) executes the U.S. Space Force’s Core Competency of Space Mobility and Logistics. It secures reliable and responsive launch services to deploy the space-based capabilities needed by our Nation's warfighters, intelligence professionals, decision makers, allies, and partners. Additionally, it operates and sustains resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to project on-orbit warfighting capability through all phases of conflict and to expand U.S. economic, technological, and scientific leadership. Further, AATS delivers servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities that operate in, from, and to the space domain.
About SpOC
SpOC is the service force provider, focused on generating combat-ready Space forces, sourcing and providing forces for service and combatant commands, and advocating for combat-ready space power from future force to fielded force.
About Mission Delta 31
MD 31 emphasizes providing, operating, and sustaining high-integrity Positioning, Navigation, & Timing capabilities to protect our Nation’s interests and assure an unparalleled global unity. MD 31 delivers resilient and adaptable Positioning, Navigation, and Timing for all users, in all places, at all times.
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Media representatives can submit questions for response regarding SSC and AATS by sending an e-mail to sscpa.media@spaceforce.mil
Media representatives can submit questions for response regarding SpOC and MD31 by sending an e-mail to spoc.pa.media@spaceforce.mil