CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried a GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force into orbit from Florida Thursday evening.
What You Need To Know
- GPS satellite will be used for navigation, search-and-rescue
- SpaceX also successfully landed the rocket's first stage on its droneship
- Next launch attempt will be ULA Atlas V rocket launch on Sunday at 5:36 p.m.
On board the rocket was the fourth Lockheed Martin-built GPS III Space Vehicle 04 satellite. The U.S. military satellite will be used for navigation, search-and-rescue, and will be available for commercial and civilian use, according to Lockheed Martin.
SpaceX also landed the Falcon 9’s first stage on the company’s drone ship "Of Course I Love You," staged hundreds of miles out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Once above Earth, the GPS III will join three other satellites. Eventually, there will be a constellation of 32 of the satellites in orbit.
Just a few miles away, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket awaits liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It was originally set to lift off Tuesday, then Wednesday, pushed back due to technical checks. A third launch attempt is scheduled for Sunday at 5:36 p.m.