An anomaly with the Vulcan rocket led to the launch of the GPS III-8 satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket.
The U.S. Space Force is switching its launch provider from ULA to SpaceX for the GPS III-8 (Global Positioning System) mission. This switch ensures the continued delivery of this critical system through rapid and reliable launch capabilities while the investigation into the Vulcan rocket anomaly continues.
The GPS III-8 satellite will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which is scheduled to deliver the final GPS III spacecraft (SV-10) into orbit no earlier than the end of April from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
With this change, we are responding to the request for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capabilities while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues. We once again demonstrate our team’s flexibility and are fully committed to pursuing all available options for a rapid and reliable launch in the interests of the nation.
Ryan Hiseroth, SYD 80 commander and NSSL system program director
With the GPS III-8 mission now scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the USSF-70 mission will now launch on a ULA Vulcan rocket no earlier than summer 2028.
On February 12, the Vulcan Centaur rocket launched from Cape Canaveral on mission USSF-87. Shortly after launch, abnormal behavior was detected in one of the GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters, manufactured by Northrop Grumman. Following the launch, the decision was made to temporarily suspend further rocket flights until the cause of the anomaly was determined.
