{"id":20958,"date":"2021-06-18T13:19:15","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T13:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2021\/06\/18\/space-force-launches-fifth-gps-iii-satellite\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:12:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:12:06","slug":"space-force-launches-fifth-gps-iii-satellite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/space\/2021\/06\/18\/space-force-launches-fifth-gps-iii-satellite\/","title":{"rendered":"Space Force launches fifth GPS III satellite for more secure positioning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Space Force sent the fifth GPS III satellite into orbit June 17, the last piece needed for a constellation that will one day provide a more secure positioning signal for the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The satellite, the first heavy national security payload with a cost-saving reusable booster, had a 12,550-mile journey with an onboard liquid apogee engine to reach its orbit. It will go through two weeks of on-orbit testing and checkout, and is expected to enter operational use in a few months, where it\u2019s advanced capabilities will contribute to the full GPS constellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket happened only seven months after the last launch of a GPS III satellite, an accelerated timeline that the Space Force said shows its progress in speeding up launches in order to respond to potential threats quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reusable booster, a first for a National Security Space Launch, saved the government $64.5 million, according to the Space Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday\u2019s launch culminated our work to use previously-flown hardware for NSSL missions,\u201d said Walter Lauderdale, who leads the Space and Missile Systems Center\u2019s Falcon work. \u201cOur partnership with SpaceX enabled us to complete this huge milestone well in advance of our first Phase 2 NSSL launch, enhancing flexibility and resiliency for National Security Space missions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t