A Falcon 9 carrying GPS III SV01 lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Dec. 23, 2018 at 8:51 a.m. EST. The first GPS III to be launched will join the current GPS constellation comprised of 31 operational spacecraft. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

The launch marked SpaceX’s 21st mission of 2018.


From
the Air Force:


The Lockheed
Martin-built satellite, known as “Vespucci,” in honor of Amerigo Vespucci, the
Italian explorer for whom the Americas were named, was carried to orbit aboard
a Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) Falcon 9 Evolved
Expendable Launch Vehicle. 


“Launch is always a monumental event, and especially so since this is the first
GPS satellite of its generation launched on SpaceX’s first National Security
Space mission. As more GPS III satellites join the constellation, it will bring
better service at a lower cost to a technology that is now fully woven into the
fabric of any modern civilization,” said Lt. Gen. John F. Thompson, commander
of the Space and Missile Systems Center and Air Force program executive officer
for Space. 


“It keeps GPS the gold standard for positioning, navigation, and
timing information, giving assured access when and where it matters. This event
was a capstone, but it doesn’t mean we’re done. We’re going to run a series of
procedures for checkout and test to ensure everything on Vespucci functions as
it was designed.” 


GPS III’s “Vespucci” separated from its upper stage approximately 2 hours after
launch. Engineers and operators at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton facility will now
begin on-orbit checkout and tests which are estimated to complete in six
months. Operational use is expected to begin in about a year.

A Falcon 9 carrying GPS III SV01 lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Dec. 23, 2018 at 8:51 a.m. EST. The first GPS III to be launched will join the current GPS constellation comprised of 31 operational spacecraft. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

“Today’s launch could not have
succeeded without the teamwork of dedicated professionals. I’m extremely proud
of their accomplishment.” stated Col. Steve Whitney, director of the GPS
Directorate. “Today’s launch is the beginning of the GPS III era, bringing
greater capabilities for our military and civilian users worldwide.”  

Technicians prepare to encapsulate Lockheed Martin’s GPS III Space Vehicle 01 within a SpaceX payload fairing at Astrotech Space Operations’ Florida facility on Dec. 7.  2018. Scheduled for SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Dec. 23, 2018.  Credit: Lockheed Martin

Vespucci will be vectored to augment the current GPS constellation
comprised of 31 operational spacecraft. GPS satellites operate in medium earth
orbit at an altitude of approximately 20,200 km (12,550 miles) in six planes.
Each satellite circles the earth twice per day. GPS provides the “Gold
Standard” of position, navigation, and timing services for billions of users
worldwide. GPS III, the newest generation of GPS satellites. It brings new
capabilities to users, including three times greater accuracy, and up to eight
times improved anti-jamming capabilities.