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LaunchMar 21, 2026

US Space Force moves GPS launch to SpaceX Falcon 9 due to Vulcan rocket glitch

US Space Force moves GPS launch to SpaceX Falcon 9 due to Vulcan rocket glitch
Image source: Space.com
Story Brief

Next month's GPS III-8 mission had been slated to fly atop United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s new Vulcan Centaur rocket. But Vulcan has experienced issues with its solid rocket boosters (SRBs), so the Space Force is moving the GPS spacecraft onto a SpaceX Falcon 9.

"With this change, we are answering the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues.

"With this change, we are answering the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues," Space Force Col. Ryan Hiserote, Space Systems Command System Delta 80 commander and National Security Space Launch system program director, said in a statement today (March 20).

Reference Details
Mentioned Companies & Entities
SpaceXUnited Launch Alliance (ULA)Space Launch System
Technologies Involved
Falcon 9SLSStarlink