The U.S. Space Force deployed the Global Positioning System III Space Vehicle 09, or SV09, satellite into orbit on Jan. 27 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Lockheed Martin is a major sponsor of the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30, where Air Force, Space Force and industry leaders will gather to address evolving challenges across the air and space domains. Get your tickets now.
Table of Contents
What Is the Purpose of the GPS III-9 Satellite?
The Space Systems Command said Wednesday GPS III-9 will provide the GPS constellation with an additional M-Code satellite that will significantly enhance positional accuracy and resistance to jamming, boosting system resilience, and geolocation and navigation capabilities. This strengthens weapon system performance across every operational theater.
What Are the Details of GPS III-9?
The GPS III-9 satellite was developed by Lockheed Martin and delivered under the National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, program. It is named in honor of Col. Ellison Onizuka, a NASA astronaut and Air Force flight test engineer who died in the space shuttle Challenger disaster 40 years ago.
How Was the Launch Executed?
The mission was completed in roughly two months, following a rapid launch timeline enabled by NSSL’s flexible acquisition and scheduling processes. The campaign reflected close coordination among Space Systems Command, Combat Forces Command, Space Launch Delta 45 and SpaceX.
Previous GPS III Missions
The SV09 launch builds on previous missions that aim to strengthen GPS capabilities, including the successful launch of Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 in December 2024 and GPS III-7, or SV08, in May 2025.
Related Articles
The Department of Veterans Affairs will invest $4.8 billion in efforts to modernize and repair healthcare facilities nationwide. As federal health agencies continue to manage large-scale investments and long-term modernization efforts, leaders across government and industry are watching how these initiatives unfold. The Potomac Officers Club will host the rescheduled 2025 Healthcare Summit on Feb. 12. Register now! VA said Wednesday the planned fiscal year 2026 spending marks the largest single-year investment under the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance, or NRM, program. “Under President Trump, VA is putting Veterans first, and this historic investment underscores that fact,” said VA Secretary
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released new guidance aimed at helping critical infrastructure organizations and state, local, tribal and territorial governments address insider threats. As CISA continues to publish guidance to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture, collaboration between government and industry remains essential. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit will bring together federal and industry leaders to discuss priorities shaping the cyber landscape. Book your spot at this May 21 event! CISA said Wednesday the new resource, titled Assembling a Multi-Disciplinary Insider Threat Management Team, offers actionable strategies to help organizations prevent, detect and mitigate insider
The Army has selected Hanwha Defense USA for an enhanced use lease at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas as part of a broader effort to modernize the munitions supply chain and strengthen domestic production of critical energetics. Hanwha plans to invest about $1.3 billion in the project, which is expected to generate roughly 200 skilled jobs, the service said Wednesday. The lease would support the construction and operation of a new facility focused on producing key ingredients used in explosives and propellants, materials that underpin munitions such as 155mm artillery rounds. Final terms remain subject to lease negotiations. Brent Ingraham,