The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch its ninth third-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, known as GPS 3 Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This mission, designated GPS 3-9, is scheduled for lift-off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 11:42:23 p.m. EST on January 26, 2026. The decision to use a Falcon 9 rocket comes after a switch from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket, showcasing the Space Force’s adaptability in its launch strategy.
The SV09 satellite is designed to enhance positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities, equipped with M-Code technology that significantly improves accuracy and resistance to jamming. Two main commands are overseeing this 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 collaborates with Lockheed Martin, the satellite’s manufacturer, for pre-launch satellite processing.
Launch Details and Weather Conditions
The GPS 3-9 launch was initially scheduled for January 25 but was postponed by a day due to weather conditions. SpaceX announced on Twitter that it was closely monitoring recovery weather, which is influenced by a significant winter storm affecting parts of the country. The 45th Weather Squadron currently forecasts a 40 percent chance of favorable weather during the 15-minute launch window. Meteorologists have expressed concerns regarding winds at liftoff, which may exceed launch constraints.
The Falcon 9 rocket will utilize booster B1096, marking its fifth flight after previous missions for NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster is expected to land on the drone ship, “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, this will be the 141st landing on this vessel and the 564th for SpaceX overall. This mission represents SpaceX’s second national security flight of the year, following the NROL-105 mission launched on January 16.
Shifting Launch Strategies
The GPS 3-9 mission highlights a continuing trend of the Space Force transferring satellite launches from ULA to SpaceX. This marks the third occurrence in which the Space Force has made such a switch under the NSSL Phase 2 contract, which allocated $4.5 billion to ULA and $4 billion to SpaceX for various GPS missions.
Space Force officials have emphasized the importance of flexibility in managing 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.” This adaptability is crucial in ensuring timely delivery of critical capabilities to military operations.
The decision to launch the SV09 on a Falcon 9 rocket stems from a need to expedite the satellite’s deployment, as the Vulcan launch manifest has been heavily congested. A spokesperson for System Delta 80 stated that the launch vehicle switch was made to prioritize getting GPS capabilities into orbit swiftly.
As with all GPS satellites, SV09 is named after a notable explorer, in this case, 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. With the GPS constellation being integral to U.S. defense operations and everyday technologies, the successful deployment of this satellite is expected to bolster military readiness and enhance the capabilities of joint operations globally.
