US Space Force moves GPS launch to Falcon 9 after Vulcan booster issues

The U.S. Space Force reassigned the GPS III-8 satellite from ULA's Vulcan Centaur to a SpaceX Falcon 9 following recurring solid rocket booster anomalies, and the mission is now scheduled no earlier than late April from Cape Canaveral.

The U.S. Space Force has reassigned next month's GPS III-8 launch from United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket to a SpaceX Falcon 9. The decision follows repeated solid rocket booster anomalies on Vulcan flights and comes while an investigation into those glitches continues. Vulcan debuted in January 2024 and has flown four times, with SRB issues reported on two flights. Space Force officials framed the switch as a way to deliver the GPS capability promptly while the Vulcan review proceeds. Key details: - GPS III-8, described as the 10th and final GPS III satellite, was moved to a Falcon 9 and is scheduled to launch no earlier than late April from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. - Vulcan Centaur experienced solid rocket booster anomalies on two of its four flights, including a national security payload certification launch in October 2024 and the USSF-87 mission last month. - The Space Force announced a pause on Vulcan national security flights in late February while an investigation into the SRB anomalies is ongoing. - Space Force Col. Ryan Hiserote said the change aims to provide rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues. - Vulcan Centaur will instead be assigned to launch USSF-70, a mission that had been planned for a Falcon Heavy, with a launch date reported as no earlier than summer 2028. Summary: The reassignment keeps the GPS III-8 rollout on a schedule that targets a launch no earlier than late April while Vulcan Centaur remains under review. The Vulcan SRB anomaly investigation is ongoing and national security flights on that vehicle remain paused. Planned future milestones include the GPS III-8 Falcon 9 launch and a later Vulcan launch for USSF-70, currently slated no earlier than summer 2028.