U.S. Space Force Field Commands Announce Accelerated GPS III Mission to Enhance Warfighter CapabilitiesApril 7, 2025Another National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission will deliver a Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle to orbit on a rapid response schedule, demonstrating a continuing level of responsiveness by Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command.U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Space Operations Command (SpOC) announce the expected launch of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) GPS III-7 mission, Space Vehicle 08 (SV-08), with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., no earlier than the end of May 2025.Following the successful Rapid Response Trailblazer launch in December 2024, the two field commands are executing another accelerated mission. The accelerated mission involves a complex integration of effort across multiple Space Force organizations to retrieve a Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite from storage, expedite integration with a launch vehicle, and prepare it for launch on an accelerated timeline.[...]“This launch executes a launch vehicle trade of the GPS III-7 mission from Vulcan to a Falcon 9 rocket, and swaps a later GPS IIIF-1 mission from Falcon Heavy to Vulcan, showcasing our ability to launch in three months, compared to the typical 24 months,” said USSF Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader of Launch Execution for AATS. "It highlights another instance of the Space Force's ability to complete high priority launches on a rapid timescale, which demonstrates the capability to respond to emergent constellation needs as rapidly as Space Vehicle readiness allows." SpOC’s Mission Delta 31 is leading the pre-launch processing of the space vehicle, closely coordinating with Lockheed Martin in Colorado to expedite shipment and prepare SV-08 for launch. SV-08 was successfully delivered to Florida on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on April 2, 2025, where it will begin processing in preparation for launch.[...]
The eighth GPS III space vehicle we designed and built for the @SpaceForceDoD arrived in Florida to begin final preparations for launch this spring. This satellite will enhance global positioning, navigation & timing for billions of users worldwide!
Space Systems Command (SSC) recently assigned twelve FY23 National Security Space (NSS) launch service missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract.
Six other missions were awarded to United Launch Alliance (ULA) for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)L-64 and NROL-83, the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) III-08, SDA T1TR-B, SDA T1TR-D, and USSF-114.
The GPS III-8 mission, assigned to launch onboard a Vulcan rocket from the Eastern range into a medium earth transfer orbit, is the eighth of ten projected GPS III missions.
“ULA and SpaceX continue to provide outstanding launch services with their reliable and innovative launch systems, and we are confident in their ability to maintain the unprecedented 100 percent program success forthe NSSL missions assigned for launch in FY25.
Space Systems Command (SSC) has announced the assignment of 21 launch service missions for the FY24 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract following completion of the NSSL Mission Assignment Board’s assignment process for FY24 launch service awards.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) received 11 mission assignments and Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) received 10. These Order Year 5 (OY5) missions are scheduled to launch over the next two to three years and focus on a variety of mission areas.
The 10 missions assigned to Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) are: SDA T1TL-F, SDA T1TR-A, GPS IIIF-1, NROL-77, SDA T1TR-E, GPS III-10, USSF-75, SDA T2TL-A, SDA T2TL-C, and USSF-70.
The GPS IIIF-1 is the first launch of the follow-on GPS III satellites. GPS Block IIIF introduces several improvements and novel capabilities compared to previous GPS satellite blocks.
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated April 7:QuoteFALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on April 10 at 9:43 p.m. - 1:43 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 13 at 9:59 p.m. - 1:59 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 16 around 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-32 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on April 21 at 4:15 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from pad 40 on late April. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station on late May, around 1 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May.VULCAN & ATLAS VThe next United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the first batch of satellites for the Amazon Kuiper constellation on April 9 at 7:00-9:00 p.m EDT.
FALCON 9The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on April 10 at 9:43 p.m. - 1:43 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 13 at 9:59 p.m. - 1:59 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on April 16 around 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-32 resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on April 21 at 4:15 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission from pad 40 on late April. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station on late May, around 1 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May.VULCAN & ATLAS VThe next United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the first batch of satellites for the Amazon Kuiper constellation on April 9 at 7:00-9:00 p.m EDT.
<snip>There are currently 31 GPS satellites on orbit, but the older ones are starting to show their age.<snip>[During a media briefing on the sidelines of the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado:][Malik Musawwir, the vice president of Navigation Systems within Lockheed Martin’s National Security Space division] said heading into the launch of GPS 3 SV-07 last year, nicknamed “Sally Ride,” Lockheed Martin had four completed GPS 3 vehicles, which complete that series of satellite. They are working on the next generation, called GPS 3F, which will carry on the number system, beginning with GPS 3 Follow-On (GPS 3F) SV-11.GPS 3 SV-08 now in Florida for processing ahead of its launch in late May.“We’re down to two that we have in Waterton today with the plan to launch remaining two in the next year,” Musawwir said. “So, looking forward to an eventful 2025 of launch activity to really clear out the barn, so to speak.” [I read this paragraph as part of the comments made last year; GPS 3 SV-09 and -10 would launch in 2025.]Lockheed Martin has GPS 3F SV-11, -12 and -13 well into the work flow. GPS 3 SV-13 is currently going through what Musawwir called “core mate.”<snip>Musawwir said the GPS 3F satellites have about 60 times more anti-jamming capabilities as compared to the previous generation of GPS satellite. The first of these satellites is expected to launch in 2027.Lockheed Martin is currently on contract to build GPS 3F satellites through SV-20, but they can expand that up to SV-32, upon request.<snip>The announcement of [SV-08]'s launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket marks the second time that the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command decided to shift the launch of a GPS satellite from a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket to a Falcon 9.Space Systems Command confirmed that the launch in December of GPS 3 SV-07 on a Falcon 9 didn’t mean that ULA would lose out on a future launch.“This launch executes a launch vehicle trade of the GPS 3-7 mission from Vulcan to a Falcon 9 rocket, and swaps a later GPS 3F-1 mission from Falcon Heavy to Vulcan, showcasing our ability to launch in three months, compared to the typical 24 months,” said USSF Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader of Launch Execution for AATS in a statement. “It highlights another instance of the Space Force’s ability to complete high priority launches on a rapid timescale, which demonstrates the capability to respond to emergent constellation needs as rapidly as Space Vehicle readiness allows.”
One NOTAM has shown up for the launch of Starlink Group 12-22 [24 May UTC]:<snip>
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated May 16:QuoteThe next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 19 at 11:40 p.m. - 12:15 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 24 at 1:24-5:24 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May TBA. A Falcon 9 will launch the Sirius XM-10 broadcasting satellite from pad 40 on June 6. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on June 8 at 9:11 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Meteosat MTG-S1 weather satellite for Europe on July TBA.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 19 at 11:40 p.m. - 12:15 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 24 at 1:24-5:24 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May TBA. A Falcon 9 will launch the Sirius XM-10 broadcasting satellite from pad 40 on June 6. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on June 8 at 9:11 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Meteosat MTG-S1 weather satellite for Europe on July TBA.
FORGING NEW SPACE ACQUISITION PATHWAYSThe Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 mission, launched on 16 December 2024, demonstrated an ability to execute launches on a condensed timeline with the launch campaign condensed from 24 months to less than five months and the SV07 pre-launch processing timeline reduced from six to three months. The launch showed the ability to rapidly deploy capabilities to meet warfighter needs. We are initiating a second rapid response mission to swap the GPS III-7 (SV08) and GPS IIIF-1 (SV11) missions between United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX. The swap enables SV08’s Initial Launch Capability (ILC) in early Summer 2025 while maintaining SV11’s May 2027 ILC. Further, this move provides payload processing relief in late Summer/Fall 2025 while saving tens of millions due to the change from Falcon Heavy to Falcon 9.
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 05/20/2025 02:40 pmStarlink Group 10-32 has appeared on CADENA OIS - first Starlink launch on the NE bound track in a long while.<snip>Most likely, this is a SLC-40 launch, as the Axiom-4 launch campaign is apparently already underway at LC-39A for a June 8 launch.
Starlink Group 10-32 has appeared on CADENA OIS - first Starlink launch on the NE bound track in a long while.
FY26 Space Budget Hearing [May 14]QuoteFORGING NEW SPACE ACQUISITION PATHWAYS<snip>We are initiating a second rapid response mission to swap the GPS III-7 (SV08) and GPS IIIF-1 (SV11) missions between United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX. The swap enables SV08’s Initial Launch Capability (ILC) in early Summer 2025 while maintaining SV11’s May 2027 ILC. Further, this move provides payload processing relief in late Summer/Fall 2025 while saving tens of millions due to the change from Falcon Heavy to Falcon 9.
FORGING NEW SPACE ACQUISITION PATHWAYS<snip>We are initiating a second rapid response mission to swap the GPS III-7 (SV08) and GPS IIIF-1 (SV11) missions between United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX. The swap enables SV08’s Initial Launch Capability (ILC) in early Summer 2025 while maintaining SV11’s May 2027 ILC. Further, this move provides payload processing relief in late Summer/Fall 2025 while saving tens of millions due to the change from Falcon Heavy to Falcon 9.
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated May 20 afternoon EDT:QuoteThe next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 20 at 11:18-11:26 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 24 at 1:24-5:24 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May TBA. A Falcon 9 will launch the Sirius XM-10 broadcasting satellite from pad 40 on June 6. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on June 8 at 9:11 a.m. EDT (close tickets on sale). The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Meteosat MTG-S1 weather satellite for Europe on July TBA.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 20 at 11:18-11:26 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on May 24 at 1:24-5:24 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on late May TBA. A Falcon 9 will launch the Sirius XM-10 broadcasting satellite from pad 40 on June 6. A Falcon 9 will launch the Axiom-4 spaceflight participant mission to the International Space Station from pad 39A on June 8 at 9:11 a.m. EDT (close tickets on sale). The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Meteosat MTG-S1 weather satellite for Europe on July TBA.
Media are invited to hear from Space Systems Command (SSC) ‘s Assured Access To Space (AATS) and its industry partners during a news conference beginning at 1 p.m. PDT / 2 p.m. MDT / 3 p.m. CDT / 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 28 to discuss the upcoming GPS III-7 (SV08) mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). The launch is slated to occur from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Topics covered will include details of the upcoming launch followed by a question-and-answer segment. The event will be hosted by Space Systems Command’s Public Affairs office headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif. Media teleconference participants will include: • Col. Andrew Menschner, Mission Delta 31 commander, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado • Dr. Walt Lauderdale, Mission Director and Chief of Falcon Systems and Operations, Launch Execution Division, Assured Access to Space (AATS), Space Systems Command, El Segundo, California • Mr. Malik Musawwir, Vice President - Navigation Systems, Lockheed Martin, Littleton, Colorado • Ms. Anne Mason, Director, National Security Space Launch (NSSL), SpaceX, Hawthorne, California
This could be a May 31 launch?
NGA notices covering daily June 17 through June 23. The hazard warning period starts four minutes earlier each day.Quote from: NGA120306Z JUN 21NAVAREA IV 493/21(11,12,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 171609Z TO 171712Z JUN, ALTERNATE 181605Z TO 181708Z, 191601Z TO 191704Z, 201557Z TO 201700Z, 211553Z TO 211656Z, 221549Z TO 221652Z, AND 231545Z TO 231648Z JUN IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-36-24N 080-35-32W, 28-55-00N 080-14-00W, 28-53-00N 080-11-00W, 28-36-00N 080-26-00W, 28-32-00N 080-30-00W, 28-32-00N 080-33-43W. B. 31-42-00N 077-26-00W, 33-55-00N 075-30-00W, 34-22-00N 074-29-00W, 33-45-00N 073-58-00W, 33-00-00N 074-25-00W, 31-33-00N 077-18-00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 231748Z JUN 21.Quote from: NGA120340Z JUN 21HYDROPAC 1737/21(57,61).SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN OCEAN.SOUTH AFRICA.DNC 01, DNC 02.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 172253Z TO 172315Z JUN, ALTERNATE 182249Z TO 182311Z, 192245Z TO 192307Z, 202241Z TO 202303Z, 212237Z TO 212259Z, 222233Z TO 222255Z, AND 232229Z TO 232251Z JUN IN AREA BOUND BY 47-00S 014-30E, 39-00S 017-00E, 50-30S 046-00E, 58-00S 043-00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 232351Z JUN 21.Quote from: NGA120402Z JUN 21HYDROLANT 1573/21(57,61).EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.SOUTH AFRICA.DNC 01, DNC 02.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 172253Z TO 172315Z JUN, ALTERNATE 182249Z TO 182311Z, 192245Z TO 192307Z, 202241Z TO 202303Z, 212237Z TO 212259Z, 222233Z TO 222255Z, AND 232229Z TO 232251Z JUN IN AREA BOUND BY 47-00S 014-30E, 39-00S 017-00E, 50-30S 046-00E, 58-00S 043-00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 232351Z JUN 21.
120306Z JUN 21NAVAREA IV 493/21(11,12,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 171609Z TO 171712Z JUN, ALTERNATE 181605Z TO 181708Z, 191601Z TO 191704Z, 201557Z TO 201700Z, 211553Z TO 211656Z, 221549Z TO 221652Z, AND 231545Z TO 231648Z JUN IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-36-24N 080-35-32W, 28-55-00N 080-14-00W, 28-53-00N 080-11-00W, 28-36-00N 080-26-00W, 28-32-00N 080-30-00W, 28-32-00N 080-33-43W. B. 31-42-00N 077-26-00W, 33-55-00N 075-30-00W, 34-22-00N 074-29-00W, 33-45-00N 073-58-00W, 33-00-00N 074-25-00W, 31-33-00N 077-18-00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 231748Z JUN 21.
120340Z JUN 21HYDROPAC 1737/21(57,61).SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN OCEAN.SOUTH AFRICA.DNC 01, DNC 02.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 172253Z TO 172315Z JUN, ALTERNATE 182249Z TO 182311Z, 192245Z TO 192307Z, 202241Z TO 202303Z, 212237Z TO 212259Z, 222233Z TO 222255Z, AND 232229Z TO 232251Z JUN IN AREA BOUND BY 47-00S 014-30E, 39-00S 017-00E, 50-30S 046-00E, 58-00S 043-00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 232351Z JUN 21.
120402Z JUN 21HYDROLANT 1573/21(57,61).EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.SOUTH AFRICA.DNC 01, DNC 02.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 172253Z TO 172315Z JUN, ALTERNATE 182249Z TO 182311Z, 192245Z TO 192307Z, 202241Z TO 202303Z, 212237Z TO 212259Z, 222233Z TO 222255Z, AND 232229Z TO 232251Z JUN IN AREA BOUND BY 47-00S 014-30E, 39-00S 017-00E, 50-30S 046-00E, 58-00S 043-00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 232351Z JUN 21.
A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from pad 40 on May 30 at 1:23-1:38 p.m. EDT.
210812Z MAY 25NAVAREA IV 558/25(11,12,26).WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 301723Z TO 301808Z MAY, ALTERNATE 311718Z TO 311804Z, 011714Z TO 011800Z JUN, 021710Z TO 021756Z, 031706Z TO 031752Z, 041702Z TO 041748Z AND 051658Z TO 051744Z JUN IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 28-36.58N 080-35.70W, 28-49.00N 080-19.00W, 28-47.00N 080-17.00W, 28-36.00N 080-23.00W, 28-30.86N 080-33.21W. B. 31-54.00N 077-20.00W, 33-53.00N 075-19.00W, 34-16.00N 074-36.00W, 34-02.00N 074-17.00W, 33-23.00N 074-37.00W, 31-40.00N 077-02.00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 051844Z JUN 25.
Primary Launch Day 30 May 1723Z-1808Z Backup Launch Day (1) 31 May 1718Z-1804Z Backup Launch Day (2) 01 Jun 1714Z-1800Z Backup Launch Day (3) 02 Jun 1710Z-1756Z Backup Launch Day (4) 03 Jun 1706Z-1752Z Backup Launch Day (5) 04 Jun 1702Z-1748Z Backup Launch Day (6) 05 Jun 1658Z-1744Z
Airspace Management PlanNAS Impact of the Proposed Starlink GPS III-7 (X2958) SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket CCSFS/KSC, FloridaBackgroundA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s seventh third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.Hazard Area EvaluationThe National Airspace System (NAS) hazard area evaluation examined three launch Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) and the Special Use Airspace (SUA) associated with the launch. The first, AHA-A, extends from the launch site to 65nm northeastward. The second, AHA-B, extends from 260nm northeast of the launch site to 460nm northeast. These AHAs are within Miami ARTCC, Jacksonville ARTCC and New York ARTCC airspace. A third AHA safeguarding the Stage 2 reentry is located south of Africa in the Johannesburg FIR.Operational Impact AHA lengths and locations will impact a portion of the Atlantic Routes. Affected airspace includes Restricted Areas and portions of Warning Areas. Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) will include reroutes to structure traffic around the AHAs. Majority of these flights are affected by the restricted areas, AHA A, and corresponding SUAs. Reroutes to protect the AHAs may result in an average mileage of approximately 15nm / 2minutes.
Do we have any indication for which orbital slot this satellite is intended? And therefore, an approximate launch time?
Space Systems Command Invites Media to GPS III-7 (SV08) Teleconference [May 19]QuoteMedia are invited to hear from Space Systems Command (SSC) ‘s Assured Access To Space (AATS) and its industry partners during a news conference beginning at 1 p.m. PDT / 2 p.m. MDT / 3 p.m. CDT / 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 28 to discuss the upcoming GPS III-7 (SV08) mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). The launch is slated to occur from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Media are invited to hear from Space Systems Command (SSC) ‘s Assured Access To Space (AATS) and its industry partners during a news conference beginning at 1 p.m. PDT / 2 p.m. MDT / 3 p.m. CDT / 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 28 to discuss the upcoming GPS III-7 (SV08) mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). The launch is slated to occur from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
In a press call May 28, Space Force officials said the mission was executed on an unusually accelerated timeline. Launch planning for GPS III SV-08 kicked off in February, with Lockheed Martin receiving a formal request on February 21 and SpaceX following on March 7 — just under three months ahead of liftoff. That’s an extraordinary pace for a national security launch, they said, which typically takes 18 to 24 months from contract award.
