Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
20:10:46
Tuesday June 30, 2020
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
GPS III (Global Positioning System) is the first evolution of the third generation of GPS satellites. The U.S. Air Force announced in May 2008 that a team led by Lockheed Martin had won the competition to build the next-generation Global Positioning System (Navstar) Space System program, known as GPS III. This program will improve position, navigation, and timing services for warfighter and civil users worldwide and provide advanced anti-jam capabilities yielding superior system security, accuracy, and reliability. When fully deployed, the GPS III constellation will feature a cross-linked command and control architecture, allowing the entire GPS constellation to be updated simultaneously from a single ground station. Additionally, a new spot beam capability for enhanced military (M-Code) coverage and increased resistance to hostile jamming will be incorporated. These enhancements will improve accuracy and ensure availability for military and civilian users worldwide.
Medium Earth Orbit
1 Payload
4,311 kilograms
Agency
SpaceXPrice
$69.75 million
Rocket
Diameter: 3.7m
Height: 70m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 22,800 kg
GTO: 8,300 kg
Liftoff Thrust
7,607 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 5.2m
Height: 13m
Stages
2
89th
Mission
11th
Mission of 2020
97th
Mission
11th
Mission of 2020
45th
Orbital launch attempt