The US Space Force has switched rockets for an upcoming GPS satellite launch.
Next month’s GPS III-8 mission was scheduled to fly atop the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) new Vulcan Centaur rocket. But Vulcan has experienced problems with its solid rocket boosters (SRB), it saw Space Force moves the GPS spacecraft to a SpaceX Falcon 9.
The article continues below
“We once again demonstrate our team’s flexibility and are fully committed to utilizing all available options for responsive and reliable launch for the nation,” Hiserote added.
Vulcan Centaur, the successor to ULA’s workhorse Atlas V rocket, debuted in January 2024 and has flown three times since. An SRB anomaly appeared on two of these four flights – Vulcan’s national security payload certification in October 2024 and that USSF-87 mission for the space force last month.
The Vulcan overcame the problem both times, reaching orbit and meeting its mission objectives. But the space force was concerned enough that at the end of February announced that it would stop Vulcan national security flights until an investigation into the failures was completed.
So today’s news about the GPS III-8 mission isn’t terribly surprising. If all goes according to plan, the satellite – the 10th and last in the GPS III line – will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at the earliest in late April. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Vulcan Centaur will in return launch USSF-70, a national security mission that had been manifested on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. USSF-70 will not fly until the summer of 2028, according to Space Force officials.
Undoubtedly, ULA is working hard to complete the investigation of irregularities and be allowed to resume national security launches. After all, the Space Force is one of Vulcan’s biggest customers, having ordered more than two dozen launches on the rocket over the next few years.
