The GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV09) lifted off late Tuesday night from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launching at 11.53pm local time. Shortly after separation, the satellite achieved signal acquisition and is now being managed from Lockheed Martin’s Launch and Checkout Operations Center in Denver, where it will remain until formally handed over to the GPS operational control network.
For military users, GPS III SV09 brings advanced security and anti-jamming features designed to ensure reliable navigation and timing in contested or degraded environments. These capabilities are critical for national security and defence missions, allowing forces to operate effectively even under electronic attack.
The GPS III constellation as a whole provides significantly enhanced performance compared to earlier satellites, offering up to three times greater accuracy and eight times improved resistance to jamming. The satellites also deliver M-code signals, a secure military-grade navigation capability used by warfighters worldwide.
Beyond defence applications, each new GPS III satellite improves the accuracy and resilience of signals relied upon by essential civilian services, including aviation, precision agriculture and telecommunications timing. As older satellites reach the end of their service lives, the introduction of new spacecraft is vital to maintaining uninterrupted global coverage.
Lockheed Martin said the launch also supports the transition to the next generation of GPS satellites. The forthcoming GPS IIIF series is expected to deliver even greater performance and survivability.
“The launch of GPS III SV09 is an important step in strengthening the resilience of the GPS constellation,” said Malik Musawwir, vice president of navigation systems at Lockheed Martin. “By adding more robust satellites, we are laying the groundwork for the GPS IIIF era, which will deliver up to 60 times greater anti-jam capability. Continued investment in GPS III and GPS IIIF ensures reliable, precise navigation and timing for military users, even in contested environments.”
To support future improvements in positioning accuracy, GPS III SV09 is also equipped with a laser retroreflector array. This technology enables more precise measurement of the Earth’s orientation, helping refine the GPS coordinate system.
Lockheed Martin has now completed production of the first 10 GPS III satellites and is currently manufacturing the next-generation GPS IIIF spacecraft, which will further expand the capabilities of the global navigation satellite system.