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GPS III Satellite Successfully Launched Into Orbit

By Cal Biesecker

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026

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GPS III Satellite Successfully Launched Into Orbit

GPS III SV09, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, launched into orbit late on the night of Jan. 27., 2026. Photo: Lockheed Martin

The Space Force late Tuesday night successfully launched a GPS III satellite into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle, adding to the service’s constellation of more accurate and jam-resistant position, navigation and timing spacecraft. The Lockheed Martin [LMT]-built GPS III-9 Space Vehicle 09 is an M-Code satellite that features increased positional accuracy, anti-jamming and secure encryption in support of military operations. The spacecraft also includes a laser retroreflector array that the company said is “designed to improve measurements…

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