The United States Space Force plans to launch its next GPS III satellite in late May to demonstrate its rapid-launch capabilities. The mission is intended to further highlight the Space Force’s ability to complete high-priority launches on short notice. The mission will demonstrate the Space Force’s rapid response capabilities and how it can respond quickly to urgent constellation needs, said Colonel Jim Horne.
Lessons Learned from the Initial Rapid Response Effort
The Space Force’s mission will be further enhanced by lessons learned from the first Rapid Response Pioneer effort in December 2024. That 2024 launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was a two-year process that the Space Force accomplished in just a few months. This rapid planning and execution demonstrates how quickly the Space Force can move on urgent missions.
GPS III Satellite Preparation Process
The GPS III satellite, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was transported from its facilities in Littleton, Colorado, to Buckley Space Force Base. From there, it was loaded onto a C-17 military cargo plane for transport to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The satellite reached its final destination on April 3, and Space Operations Command's Delta 31 unit took over operations.
Development of GPS IIIF Satellites
Lockheed Martin has announced that it has only two GPS III satellites remaining in storage after the last two GPS launches. These satellites are scheduled to launch in 2024. The company also aims to launch the first of the GPS IIIF series in late 2026 or early 2027. The GPS IIIF satellites will feature enhanced anti-jamming capabilities and provide improved signals for civilian use. This new satellite series is currently in the production integration phase.
GPS Constellation Strengthening and Future Plans
The Space Force currently has at least 31 operational GPS satellites in orbit — ranging from older model GPS satellites to the latest GPS III satellites. However, there are concerns about the vulnerability of the GPS constellation due to increasing threats of jamming and spoofing. As a result, the Space Force continues to study new options that will strengthen the service’s positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities.
In addition, a new constellation of small GPS satellites is planned to be established within a program called “Resilient GPS”. This new constellation aims to create a more robust and durable GPS network in space. The first batch of eight satellites is expected to be launched by 2028.
The Future of PNT Architecture
The Space Force is also working on a roadmap that will define the mix of future PNT capabilities. This broader PNT architecture study will be completed this summer and will outline new strategies to meet the service’s future needs.
The Space Force continues to test rapid launch capabilities and strengthen its GPS constellation. The May launch will be a key step in demonstrating how to respond quickly to rapidly changing military needs. The future of GPS systems will also become more secure and efficient with new improvements in anti-jamming and civil signal enhancement.
