Lockheed Martin has successfully launched the seventh Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle, GPS III SV07, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The satellite is now in orbit 12,550 miles above Earth, joining the Space Force’s ongoing efforts to modernize the GPS constellation.
The accelerated launch of GPS III SV07 follows the deployment of GPS III SV06 in 2023, marking another milestone in enhancing global positioning capabilities. Signal acquisition for SV07 has been completed, and the spacecraft is under operational control at Lockheed Martin’s Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Centre until its formal integration into the existing 31-satellite GPS constellation.
The Road to a Rapid Launch
The spacecraft, assembled at Lockheed Martin’s Littleton, Colorado, facility, travelled across the country via ground transport to its launch site in Florida. This is different than the typical air transport for these missions, since its standard military aircraft ride was engaged in hurricane tracking and relief efforts.
The team seamlessly changed gears to a road shipment on short notice, which helped the mission maintain its rapid launch schedule in the face of shifting aircraft availability. The Space Force time from call-up to launch for SV07 was reduced to about three months to demonstrate operational agility for launch of critical national security missions.
Lockheed Martin’s spacecraft team carefully mapped out the approximately 2,337-mile route, and carefully monitored weather models, as Hurricane Milton was on track to pass through Florida around the time of the spacecraft’s arrival.
After an epic, six-day road trip, SV07 arrived at its final destination, avoiding severe weather and undergoing final checks and preparation for launch.
“We supported our customer’s vision for an accelerated launch of this GPS satellite, ultimately helping them achieve quick-turn operational readiness,” said Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin. “Time is of the essence for national security missions, and we quickly delivered this critical capability for the Space Force to support rapid demand for secure, advanced positioning, navigation, and timing signals.”
An Additional Satellite with Secure Military Code
All GPS III space vehicles, including SV07, are equipped with M-code. M-Code is an advanced, new signal designed to improve anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, as well as increase secure access to military GPS signals for U.S. and allied armed forces. GPS III space vehicles provide up to eight times more anti-jamming power than GPS II space vehicles, and M-code has been in operational acceptance since 2020.
GPS satellites provide essential navigation for U.S. military assets, operational troops, and field supply deliveries while powering global financial markets, transportation, utilities, agriculture, construction and ride-share services.
