“Ascending to Precision: The Latest Lockheed Martin GPS III Satellite Takes Flight”

At 1:37 p.m. EDT today, the eighth GPS III space craft—engineered and manufactured by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)—successfully ascended from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. It achieved signal acquisition shortly thereafter.

In a manner similar to its swift predecessor in December 2024, GPS III SV08 executed an expedited launch schedule, departing from its cleanroom in Colorado and undertaking launch preparations in Florida within just over three months, contrasting with the usual timeframe of several months.

“Our team is excited to facilitate another launch of a crucial GPS satellite, merely five months after the previous liftoff,” stated Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems for Lockheed Martin Space. “This showcases Lockheed Martin’s capability to swiftly launch and deploy national security space assets, and we are eager to position the subsequent two GPS III satellites in orbit to further improve this essential constellation.”

These GPS III satellites will serve an essential function in delivering precise and resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) functionalities to both civilian and military users, enabling vital applications like aviation, maritime, and land transportation, along with search and rescue missions. For military professionals, the advanced security protocols and anti-jamming features of GPS III—and the subsequent GPS IIIF—satellites are particularly vital, as they will guarantee uninterrupted access to accurate navigation and timing information, even in contested or hostile environments, thereby bolstering national security and defense operations.

SV08 is now under operational supervision at Lockheed Martin’s Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center until its formal acceptance into the current operational GPS network.

Ground Operations for Space Security
In addition to constructing the spacecraft at its Littleton, Colorado facility, and providing early operational support on-orbit, Lockheed Martin plays a significant role in the continuation and upkeep of the modernized GPS ground segment—also referred to as the Architecture Evolution Plan.

This framework is central to managing the 31 active GPS satellites in orbit, enabling them to deliver transformative PNT functionalities that our contemporary world depends on.

The ground segment, supported by Lockheed Martin, is accountable for monitoring and controlling the GPS satellite constellation, as well as supplying navigation data to its users. It comprises a network of monitoring stations, master control stations, and ground antennas situated globally.

Recently, Lockheed Martin has further elevated GPS’ ground segment by integrating M-Code Early Use into the system, permitting worldwide access to a specialized, secure military communications signal by American and allied forces.

Once deemed operational, GPS III SV08 will be the eighth GPS III satellite in space with enhanced M-code, amplifying navigation, precision, and anti-jamming capabilities for critical military operations.

Lockheed Martin was also recently granted a contract modification for two additional future GPS IIIF satellites to further augment the constellation.