The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command have revealed plans to launch the National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, Global Positioning System III-7 mission by the end of May this year.
The SSC said Monday the upcoming NSSL mission aims to deploy the GPS III Space Vehicle 08 in orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
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Accelerated Space Force Missions
The expected NSSL launch follows the Rapid Response Trailblazer launch in December last year. The mission’s accelerated timeline showcases the two field commands’ enhanced responsiveness. A typical mission takes up to 24 months to prepare, but the NSSL GPS III-7 mission will have only about three months before its scheduled launch.
To fast-track the launch, the field commands will enforce a comprehensive integration of efforts from various Space Force organizations to accomplish the feat. The work will include pre-launch processing of the SV-08 by SpOC’s Mission Delta 31, which will also work with Lockheed Martin to speed up the delivery of the GPS III satellite. The satellite will then be rapidly integrated with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle before preparing the space vehicle for launch.
Enhancing Warfighter Capabilities
The aim of the GPS III-7 mission is to boost the capabilities of combatants, particularly during operations, by rapidly deploying modernized precision, navigation and timing capabilities to the joint force. The GPS III satellite will be equipped with M-Code technology, which enhances the accuracy and resistance to jamming of the warfighter’s capabilities by three and eight times, respectively.
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