The U.S. Space Force is building on its success in rapid space deployment by cutting from two years to five months the time it takes to orbit a National Security Space Launch mission.
A GPS III satellite to replace a failed component of this vital position, navigation and timing network lifted off in December 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The teams behind the work pulled an existing satellite from storage, accelerated integration and launch vehicle readiness, and rapidly processed the payload for launch, according to a joint news release from the service’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Space Operations Command (SOC). The work was done through a Space Force initiative called Rapid Response Trailblazer (RRT).
“It not only demonstrates the teams’ ability to respond to emergent constellation needs but is a testament to our flexibility and responsiveness to deliver capability as rapidly as space vehicle readiness allows,” said Col. Jim Horne with the SSC’s Assured Access to Space program. “In this case, it’s not just the warfighter, but also the nation and our allies around the world that rely on GPS on a daily basis.”
The GPS network consists of 31 active satellites, seven on orbit in reserve status, and three GPS III satellites completed and awaiting launch. More than 6 billion people use GPS daily, the news release said.
The SSC has accelerated traditional launch cycles before. In September 2023, after getting just 24 hours’ notice to complete final spacecraft operations and mission preparations, Firefly Aerospace launched its Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and deployed its payload. Firefly had no idea when the call would come. The previous responsive launch record was 21 days, set in June 2021 by the SSC. More launches under the Victus umbrella are planned.
But the GPS III launch under the RRT initiative, conducted in cooperation with SpaceX and its Falcon 9 rocket program, demonstrated the ability to quickly answer a specific national defense need. “This partnership is an example of new and faster ways we can deliver launch in support of future warfighter needs,” said Walt Lauderdale, Falcon systems and operations chief. “The Space Force quickly energized multiple organizations, and the joint team delivered a specific, important mission to orbit in record time.”