| 👁 Image Launch of GPS-III 09 | |
| Names | Navstar 85 GPS-III SV09 Ellison Onizuka |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Navigation |
| Operator | USSF |
| COSPAR ID | 2026-017A 👁 Edit this at Wikidata |
| SATCAT no. | 67588 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GPS-III SV09 |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block III |
| Bus | A2100M |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 28 Jan 2026 04:53 |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-40 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Medium Earth orbit (Semi-synchronous orbit) |
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USA-581,[1] also known as GPS-III SV09, NAVSTAR 85, and Ellison Onizuka, is a United States navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System.[2][3][4][5]
Satellite
[edit]
SV09 was the ninth GPS Block III satellite to launch. The spacecraft is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite bus, and weighs in at 4,331 kg (9,548 lb).[6] The space vehicle manufacturing contract was awarded September 2016.[7] The satellite was named "Ellison Onizuka" on 12 May 2021 following its successful core mate assembly.[8][9] It was declared "Available for Launch" on 23 Aug 2022.[10]
SV09 is the first in the Block III series to use a laser retroreflector array. LRAs are a system of mirrors designed to reflect beams of light back to their source. They are used for laser ranging, a technique that enables the measurement of precise distance by observing the time it takes for a pulse of light to travel from a ground station to the mirrors and back.[11]
Launch
[edit]The satellite's launch was originally awarded to ULA but it was later switched to SpaceX because of delays in ULA's Vulcan rocket certification. In exchange, ULA was awarded another GPS launch originally planned for Falcon Heavy.[12]
SV09 was launched by SpaceX on 28 January 2026 at 04:53 UTC, atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch took place from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.[2][13]
References
[edit]
- ^ "CelesTrak SATCAT data for 2026-017A". Retrieved 3 February 2026.
NAVSTAR 85 (USA 581)
- ^ a b "SpaceX launches advanced GPS satellite for US Space Force (photos)". Space. 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ "GPS-3 (Navstar-3)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ GNSS, Inside (2026-01-28). "SpaceX Launches GPS III SV09 'Ellison Onizuka' After Space Force Swaps Mission from Vulcan". Inside GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ Boyer, Charles (2026-01-27). "SpaceX Plans To Launch GPS III SV09 Tonight From The Cape". TalkOfTitusville.com. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ "GPS Block III SV04 | Falcon 9". Everyday Astronaut. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "SMC exercises contract options to procure two additional GPS III satellites" (Press release) United States Air Force 21 September 2016 👁 Public Domain
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - ^ https://www.americaspace.com/2021/06/17/once-flown-falcon-9-smoothly-delivers-fifth-gps-block-iii-satellite-to-orbit/
- ^ "SpaceX Delivers 5th GPS Block III Space Force Satellite to Orbit - AmericaSpace". www.americaspace.com. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ "GPS III Space Vehicle 09 declared "Available for Launch"" (PDF). Space Systems Command. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ https://science.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/nasa-laser-reflecting-instrument-makes-gps-satellite-more-accurate/
- ^ "After switch from ULA, SpaceX knocks out speedy national security launch". Orlando Sentinel. 2026-01-28. Archived from the original on 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
- ^ Casillas, Beverly (2026-01-29). "Falcon Goes 3 for 3 with Rapid Response GPS III-9 Launch". Space Scout. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
