In a repeat of its rapid response performance from December 2024, GPS III SV08 was fast-tracked from its cleanroom in Colorado to launch preparations in Florida, achieving lift-off in just over three months, far quicker than the standard timeline for such missions.
“Our team is thrilled to support another launch of a critical GPS satellite, just five months since the last liftoff,” said Malik Musawwir, Vice President of Navigation Systems for Lockheed Martin Space. “This demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s ability to rapidly launch and deploy national security space assets, and we look forward to putting the next two GPS III satellites on orbit to further enhance this critical constellation.”
The GPS III satellites play a vital role in delivering accurate and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services to both civilian and military users. They support a range of essential functions, from aviation and maritime navigation to land transport and search and rescue.
For defence forces, the satellites’ enhanced security features and anti-jamming capabilities are especially critical, ensuring reliable access to precise navigation and timing data even in contested or denied environments.
SV08 is now under the operational control of Lockheed Martin’s Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center, where it will undergo validation and testing before being officially accepted into the operational GPS network.
In addition to building the spacecraft at its Littleton, Colorado facility and overseeing early on-orbit operations, Lockheed Martin plays a key role in maintaining and modernising the GPS ground segment, also known as the Architecture Evolution Plan. This ground system is central to the operation of the 31 active GPS satellites, supporting the delivery of life-critical PNT services that underpin modern society.
The ground segment comprises a network of monitoring stations, master control stations, and ground antennas located around the world. Lockheed Martin has recently enhanced this system by incorporating M-Code Early Use, a specialised and secure military communications signal available to American and allied forces globally.
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Once operational, GPS III SV08 will be the eighth GPS III satellite equipped with M-Code, boosting navigation precision and resilience against jamming—capabilities essential to modern military operations.
Lockheed Martin was also recently awarded a contract modification to build two additional future GPS IIIF satellites, further enhancing the constellation’s capabilities.
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