In 2020, the US Space Force modified the contracts for the next two GPS III satellite launches via SpaceX to allow the use of reusable rockets in sending a national security satellite into orbit. This move will save the agency its Space and Missiles Systems Center of about $64 million.
SpaceX is set to launch a national security satellite into orbit via its Falcon 9 rocket booster, which was used to launch the GPS III SV04 satellite last November. But this time, it will be launching the GPS III SV05 satellite on Thursday, a first in history.
SpaceX Can Now Launch National Security Satellites Via Reusable Rockets
SpaceX routinely lands and reuses the flight stages of the two-stage Falcon 9 rocket. The Falcon Heavy, which is essentially three Falcon 9 first stages strapped together with a central booster and a second stage, has launched just three times to date, with its last launch date was on April 11, 2019.
Then last year, SpaceX has announced that it has received authorization from the US Space Force to launch national security satellites using used rockets.
According to Space.com, Elon Musk's company signed a contract modification with the Space Force that allows the next GPS satellites to be launched into orbit via Falcon 9 rocket boosters with pre-flown first stages. Space Force officials said that the American taxpayers would be able to save millions from this project.
"SpaceX is proud to leverage Falcon 9's flight-proven benefits and capabilities for national security space launch missions," SpaceX president and chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell said in an email, according to Space.com.
She added that the company's extensive experience with the reuse of rockets had enabled SpaceX to continually upgrade its fleet of rockets and save significant amounts of money in the conduct of these launches.
SpaceX to Launch GPS II SV05 Satellite for Space Force
CNBC reported that SpaceX is set to launch the GPS II SV05 on Thursday as part of its contract with the US Space Force. It will be launched via the Falcon 9 rocket booster, which also launched the GPS IIISV04 last November 2020.
Dr. Walter Lauderdale, deputy mission director of the US Space Force's Space and Missiles Systems Center, said that they have worked closely with SpaceX for this first-time event to understand the refurbishment processes and that they are confident that this flight will be a success.
Currently, Pentagon has awarded six GPS III satellite launch contracts to SpaceX, which costs a total of $469.8 million. The news outlet reported that the GPS III spacecraft would replace the 31 GPS satellites which are currently orbiting the planet.
Space Force noted that they required SpaceX to use the same booster that launched the SV04 to launch SV04, although Dr. Lauderdale said that they have no constraints for how SpaceX uses the Falcon 9 booster in the future.
The agency is looking forward to launching the SV06 next year, working with the available boosters of SpaceX and not just with boosters that have flown for Space Force. This marks another step for the US military in embracing the practice of SpaceX in using used rockets.
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