The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 09 (SV09) satellite into medium Earth orbit on the night of January 26, 2026. This mission, designated GPS 3-9, will utilize a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket after the satellite was transferred from a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket. The launch is scheduled for 11:42:23 p.m. EST (04:42:23 UTC on January 27) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The GPS 3-9 satellite is designed to enhance positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities, featuring advanced M-Code technology. This technology is crucial for providing military personnel with improved accuracy and resistance to jamming. The mission will be overseen by two commands: the Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Combat Forces Command (CFC). The SSC’s System Delta 80 is responsible for managing the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, while CFC’s Mission Delta 31 handles pre-launch satellite processing in collaboration with Lockheed Martin.
Launch Details and Weather Conditions
The launch, initially slated for January 25, was postponed to January 26 due to concerns regarding recovery weather conditions. According to SpaceX, the decision was made to prioritize safe recovery operations. The 45th Weather Squadron forecasts a 40 percent chance of favorable weather during the 15-minute launch window, with meteorologists noting potential issues related to wind conditions at liftoff and in the recovery area. A significant winter storm affecting parts of the country is contributing to heightened wind concerns in Florida.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will use the first stage booster B1096, which has a history of successful flights, including missions for NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office. Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, booster B1096 is scheduled to land on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean. If successful, this landing will mark the 141st for that vessel and the 564th overall for SpaceX.
Flexibility in Launch Operations
The GPS 3-9 mission represents the third instance in which the Space Force has opted to switch a satellite from a ULA Vulcan launch to a Falcon 9 rocket. Both ULA and SpaceX were awarded contracts for a series of GPS missions as part of the NSSL Phase 2 program, with ULA receiving $4.5 billion and SpaceX $4 billion for their respective contracts. Currently, ULA is assigned to launch GPS 3-7, GPS 3-8, and GPS 3-9, while SpaceX will handle GPS 3-10 and GPS 3F-1 missions.
Col. Ryan Hiserote, the SYD 80 Commander and NSSL program manager, emphasized the importance of flexibility in launch operations. “Our commitment to keeping things flexible—programmatically and contractually—means that we can pivot when necessary to changing circumstances,” he stated. The ability to adapt the launch schedule is crucial for meeting the urgent needs of military operations.
The GPS constellation remains integral to a wide range of services and operations, including aviation, finance, and scientific research. The satellites play a critical role in supporting U.S. military operations worldwide. Each GPS satellite is named after an explorer who significantly contributed to the nation’s history. SV09 is named in honor of Col. Ellison Onizuka, a U.S. Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut who lost his life during the Challenger disaster, 40 years ago this week.
As launch preparations continue, the Space Force aims to deliver this critical capability to warfighters efficiently and effectively, showcasing the ongoing collaboration between private industry and government agencies in advancing national security objectives.
