The U.S. Space Force announced March 20 it is switching the launch provider for the final GPS III satellite from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX to prioritize timely delivery of critical positioning capabilities while an investigation into a Vulcan rocket anomaly continues.
The GPS III-8 mission, carrying the last GPS III Space Vehicle (SV-10), will now fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than late April from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This follows a successful Falcon 9 launch earlier this year of GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV-09) on Jan. 27, 2026, which bolstered the constellation with advanced M-code signals for enhanced accuracy and anti-jamming.
As a result of the reassignment, ULA’s Vulcan rocket has been re-manifested to the USSF-70 mission, now targeted no earlier than summer 2028.
“The Space Access and NSSL teams’ primary mission is to deliver critical capabilities for the warfighter—when and where it’s needed,” said Col. Ryan Hiserote, commander of System Delta 80 and National Security Space Launch program director. “With this change, we are answering the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues.”
The shift underscores ongoing efforts to maintain a resilient GPS constellation for warfighters, allies and civil users worldwide, amid recurring adjustments in the National Security Space Launch program due to Vulcan performance issues.
