### SpaceX Falcon 9 Successfully Launches Latest GPS Satellite

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully carried the U.S. military's newest Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite into space on May 30. The launch took place at 1:37 p.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The mission featured the deployment of GPS III SV-08, the eighth satellite in the U.S. Space Force's third-generation GPS constellation. Built by Lockheed Martin, this satellite boasts nearly eight times better anti-jamming resistance and enhanced accuracy compared to earlier models. It also includes the encrypted M-code signal for military use and the L5 signal for civilian transportation and aviation safety.

The Falcon 9 booster completed its mission flawlessly, returning to Earth and landing on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately 90 minutes post-launch, SpaceX confirmed that the GPS III SV-08 had been deployed into its designated orbit.

These satellites operate at an altitude of about 12,550 miles in medium Earth orbit, ensuring global coverage and consistent timing signals. Col. Andrew Menschner, commander of Mission Delta 31, highlighted the importance of each successful launch in bolstering the GPS constellation's accuracy and resiliency.

"With 31 active vehicles, seven on orbit in reserve status, and two GPS III vehicles completed and ready for launch, the constellation is healthy and ready to support the six billion people around the world who use our capabilities every day," Menschner said in a statement.

Currently, SV-08 is being controlled from Lockheed Martin's launch and checkout operations center in Denver, where it will remain until it is officially integrated into the operational GPS network.

Initially assigned to United Launch Alliance (ULA), the mission was switched to SpaceX to accelerate deployment. This change indicates the evolving dynamics within the U.S. launch industry, where SpaceX has taken a commanding lead in both commercial and national security missions.

Friday's successful launch marked SpaceX's fifth national security mission of the year, with an additional dozen planned through December.