The seventh Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle, GPS III SV07, we designed and built for the United States Space Force, was recently launched on an accelerated timeline from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

But its journey to launch was the first of its kind. Instead of its standard flight on a military aircraft—which was engaged in hurricane tracking and relief efforts at the time— GPS III SV07 embarked on a groundbreaking, more than 2,000-mile road trip from our facility in Littleton, Colorado, to the launch site in Florida.

With Hurricane Milton looming, our team meticulously planned the six-day journey, monitoring weather models and ensuring the satellite’s safe arrival on time for final preparations. This mission demonstrated operational agility and the critical importance of GPS in both civil and military operations.

The satellite, which now joins the ongoing modernization of the GPS constellation on orbit more than 12,000 miles above Earth, ensures billions of people worldwide stay connected and our modern world runs smoothly.

Learn more:
GPS III: The new generation of positioning, navigation and timing: https://lmt.co/40D3tbY
Seventh Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Satellite Launches, Supporting Next-Gen Constellation Modernization And Rapid Launch Capability: https://lmt.co/40ytIRa