Another GPS launch shifts from ULA to SpaceX as Vulcan investigation continues
The U.S. Space Force has reassigned the upcoming GPS III SV10 navigation satellite launch from United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 vehicle as the investigation into recurring Vulcan anomalies continues, according to industry reports. The decision affects the final GPS III Block III satellite originally slated to fly on Vulcan from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and reflects continued caution by U.S. national security launch officials in ensuring timely deployment of critical positioning, navigation and timing infrastructure while the new ULA launcher’s issues are evaluated.
Under the revised plan, the GPS III SV10 mission will lift off aboard Falcon 9 later this spring from Cape Canaveral, with Space Systems Command citing the need to “answer the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability” amid the ongoing probe into solid rocket booster performance on Vulcan test flights. Vulcan’s booster anomalies, observed on multiple missions including the February USSF‑87 national security flight, have prompted a temporary pause on further national security missions on the vehicle pending resolution of the technical root causes. The swap also entails a reciprocal adjustment in future mission assignments, with a later classified national security payload, USSF‑70, now scheduled on Vulcan in 2028 that had been planned for SpaceX Falcon Heavy.
The reassignment underscores persistent challenges for ULA as it seeks to transition from legacy systems toward the Vulcan architecture and maintain its role within the U.S. National Security Space Launch (NSSL) programme alongside SpaceX and other providers. Vulcan’s slow certification and anomaly investigation contrast with Falcon 9’s established reliability record, reinforcing Space Force emphasis on responsive launch availability to field critical satellites quickly. The GPS constellation, essential for global timing, navigation and positioning services for military and civilian users, benefits from flexible provider options as launch cadence and vehicle performance continue to evolve across U.S. launch industry partners.
