The U.S. Space Force has chosen SpaceX to launch the third GPS III satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, marking the second time this year the military has turned to Elon Musk's company due to delays with United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket. The mission, scheduled for early 2024, will deploy the GPS III SV03 satellite to enhance global positioning accuracy for military and civilian users. "We’re prioritizing mission readiness," said a Space Force spokesperson, who did not specify the exact launch date. "Vulcan’s delays have forced us to look at alternative options."
ULA, which builds the Vulcan rocket with Blue Origin, has faced repeated setbacks since its debut in 2023. A failed engine test in November 2023 and a January 2024 software glitch delayed the rocket’s first operational flight. The company has not provided a new timeline for Vulcan’s return to service. "We’re working through the issues, but it’s taking longer than expected," said ULA spokesperson Lisa Callahan.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has been a reliable alternative, with the company having launched three GPS III satellites since 2020. The upcoming mission will be the fourth GPS III launch from Cape Canaveral, with the satellite expected to join the constellation by mid-2024. The spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin, is part of a $10 billion program to modernize the U.S. GPS network.
Local officials in Brevard County welcomed the decision, noting the economic impact of SpaceX launches. "Every mission here creates jobs and keeps our aerospace sector strong," said Brevard County Commissioner George Levesque. SpaceX has committed to 15 launches from Cape Canaveral in 2024, including crewed missions for NASA and Starlink satellite deployments.
The Space Force has not ruled out using Vulcan for future GPS launches but emphasized that SpaceX remains the "most viable option" in the short term. With Vulcan’s first successful test flight still pending, the reliance on SpaceX is expected to continue through at least 2025.