SpaceX to launch GPS III-SV09 for US Space Force, named after Ellison Onizuka

SpaceX is set to launch the GPS III-SV09 satellite for the U.S. Space Force from Cape Canaveral in a 15-minute window starting at 11:38 p.m. ET on Jan. 27, after a weather delay. Built by Lockheed Martin with M-Code for jam resistance, SV09 is the ninth GPS III satellite in a planned 10-satellite series and is named after Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka. The Falcon 9’s first stage is expected to land on a droneship about 8.5 minutes after liftoff, while the upper stage will place the satellite into medium Earth orbit roughly 90 minutes later. Live coverage is available via SpaceX and X.