The latest third-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite launched to orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Monday night. Unlike previous GPS missions though, the launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket marked a first-of-its-kind mission for the U.S.
Space Force. The launch, previously known simply as “RRT-1,” actually stands for “Rapid Response Trailblazer.” Onboard was the GPS 3 Space Vehicle (SV) 07 (GPS 3 SV-07).
Lockheed Martin, the satellite’s manufacturer, confirmed successful signal acquisition less than two hours after the launch at 7:52 p.m. EST (0052 UTC).
The spacecraft will continue to operation out of Lockheed Martin’s Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center “until its official acceptance into the current operational GPS 31-satellite constellation,” the company said. Originally, the spacecraft was scheduled to launch onboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket. The launch was one of five missions awarded to ULA as part of order year three for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract.
However, the Space Force’s Assured Access to Space (AATS) is still working through data connected to the two certification flights of Vulcan and has not yet approved the rocket to begin flying NSSL missions. In order to get the satellite and its capabilities on orbit in a more expedited fashion, multiple portions of the Space Force and Lockheed Martin, the satellite’s manufacturer, worked to pivot from one rocket to anot.