SpaceX is set to launch the U.S. military’s GPS III SV-08 satellite from Cape Canaveral on May 30, marking the second consecutive GPS satellite switch from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

The GPS III satellites offer advanced anti-jamming capabilities critical for national security, as threats to GPS signals from nation-states and commercial sources grow.

The Space Force and Lockheed Martin expedited the timeline for this launch, achieving liftoff just under three months after the formal request.

The new satellite, equipped with hardened military M-code and civilian L5 signals, enhances both defense and aviation safety, Space News has reported.

The shift highlights the flexibility of the GPS III program, allowing quick adjustments to launch providers amid delays in ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

Written by B.C. Begley