The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch the ninth third-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, GPS 3 Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch is scheduled for January 26, 2026, at 11:42:23 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission comes after a decision to transfer the satellite from its original launch vehicle, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket.
The GPS 3-9 mission is significant as it is designed to enhance the military’s positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities. Equipped with advanced M-Code technology, SV09 aims to provide U.S. forces with “significantly more accurate and jam-resistant capabilities,” according to the Space Force.
Launch Details and Weather Considerations
The Falcon 9 rocket will carry the SV09 payload, which will deploy approximately 1.5 hours after liftoff. SpaceX had initially planned the launch for January 25 but postponed it by a day, citing concerns over recovery weather conditions. The 45th Weather Squadron has indicated a 40 percent chance of favorable weather during the 15-minute launch window. Officials noted potential issues with wind speeds at liftoff, as a significant winter storm could impact conditions in Florida.
SpaceX will utilize the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1096 for this mission, marking its fifth flight. This booster has previously been involved in missions for NASA and others. Approximately 8.5 minutes after launch, B1096 is expected to land on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean, which would mark the 141st successful landing on that vessel and the 564th booster landing for SpaceX overall.
Background and Strategic Shifts
The GPS 3-9 mission reflects a larger trend of shifting launch assignments between SpaceX and ULA. Both companies were awarded contracts under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 program, valued at $4.5 billion for ULA and $4 billion for SpaceX. The decision to transfer the SV09 satellite to a Falcon 9 rocket marks the third such adjustment in recent missions.
Colonel Ryan Hiserote, the commander of Space Systems Command’s System Delta 80, emphasized the importance of flexibility in managing launch schedules. He noted that adapting the launch manifest is crucial to meeting the military’s evolving needs. “Our commitment to keeping things flexible—programmatically and contractually—means that we can pivot when necessary to changing circumstances,” he stated.
The U.S. Space Force continues to prioritize the timely deployment of its GPS capabilities, which are vital for a range of operations across various sectors, including aviation, communications, and agriculture. The decision to shift the GPS 3-9 mission to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is part of a broader strategy to optimize launch schedules amid a congested manifest.
The GPS 3 satellites are named in honor of notable explorers and figures in American history. SV09 is named for Colonel Ellison Onizuka, a U.S. Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut who tragically lost his life in the Challenger disaster. His legacy remains a poignant reminder of the contributions made by those in the pursuit of space exploration.
As the countdown to the launch continues, all eyes will be on Cape Canaveral, where the U.S. Space Force and SpaceX work together to advance national security and technological capabilities in space.
