On April 21st, at 8:53 AM Italian time, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the tenth and final GPS III satellite into orbit for the new constellation managed by the Space Force. Previously known as Block IIIA, this third generation of GPS satellites will enhance positioning, navigation, and timing services for both military and civilian users. The third generation also features advanced anti-jamming capabilities, ensuring increased system security.
As has happened previously in the history of this constellation, this satellite also changed launch vehicles multiple times. The launch was initially planned with a Falcon 9, then, following an exchange, the Space Force had assigned it to ULA’s Vulcan, only to revert back to a SpaceX vehicle.
The launch took place from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. For this mission, SpaceX reused the first stage with serial number B1095. This booster successfully completed its seventh mission, subsequently landing on the drone ship “Just Read The Instructions” (JRTI), stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
During the live broadcast, SpaceX also revealed that this was the last mission for JRTI with Falcon 9, as the drone ship will be repurposed to support the Starship program. SpaceX has not provided further details at this time, but it is possible they intend to use JRTI for transporting Starship prototypes from Starbase to Florida. Throughout its operational years, JRTI has facilitated 156 landings.
Finally Launched with a Falcon 9
The satellite launched into orbit by SpaceX is classified as GPS III SV10 (Space Vehicle 10). Over the past few years, its launch vehicle has changed several times. This is because the Space Force had distributed the launch of the 10 third-generation satellites between SpaceX and ULA. However, various issues led the Space Force to make several changes, and ultimately, SpaceX launched 9 GPS III satellites into orbit, while ULA launched only one.
The history of SV10 is quite complex, with several transfers between SpaceX and ULA. The satellite has indeed changed launch vehicles multiple times over the years, reflecting ULA’s difficulties in making its new Vulcan launcher operational.
Initially scheduled for a Falcon 9 launch, SV10 was later transferred to Vulcan to compensate for a previous swap: GPS III SV07, originally intended for ULA’s new vehicle, was moved to a Falcon 9 due to doubts about Vulcan’s operational readiness. To keep the new launcher in the GPS mission flow, the Space Force then rescheduled SV10 for a Vulcan launch.
The definitive return to Falcon 9 occurred in March 2026, when the Space Systems Command officially announced the change. The decision was based on certain anomalies recorded by Vulcan’s solid rocket boosters during its last flight on February 12th, which were considered serious enough to warrant a pause in national security launches.
The Space Force then announced on March 20th that SV10 would launch aboard a Falcon 9 as part of a rapid response program. This program involves SpaceX quickly taking charge of a satellite and transporting it into orbit in the shortest possible time. With SV10, SpaceX has completed its fourth, and fastest, mission of this type.
