The U.S. Space Force has announced a change in launch providers for an upcoming Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite. The GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV09) will now be launched by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 rocket, instead of the previously assigned United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket. The satellite is nearing the final stages of pre-flight preparations, with SpaceX potentially launching SV09 within weeks.
Swap Details
As part of this provider swap, ULA will now launch the GPS III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) SV13 satellite on its Vulcan rocket. SV13 was originally scheduled for launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. A spokesperson for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command System Delta 80 indicated that these changes were made to expedite the delivery of satellite capabilities to orbit and resulted in overall net cost savings for the government.
Contract Origins and Precedents
- SV09 was initially awarded to ULA as part of order year five of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract, announced on October 31, 2023.
- SV13 was originally awarded to SpaceX to fly on a Falcon Heavy under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contract's first order year, announced on April 7, 2025.
This marks a continued pattern of launch provider and timeline adjustments for GPS missions. Previous instances include:
- In May 2025, SpaceX launched the GPS III SV08 spacecraft, which was originally assigned to ULA in June 2023. ULA received the SV11 launch in exchange.
- In December 2024, SpaceX launched the SV07 spacecraft, also initially assigned to ULA. This mission, known as the Rapid Response Trailblazer, was designed to minimize the impact of Vulcan launch delays on the Space Force’s manifest.