SpaceX, the private space company owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is preparing to launch a GPS III-9 satellite into Earth’s orbit later today. The satellite will be used by the military, apps, and consumer technologies in the U.S., according to the U.S. Space Force who will be operating it.
The launch had been scheduled for yesterday, but was cancelled due to bad weather. Given the all clear today, SpaceX will use a reusable rocket called the Falcon 9 for this mission. Once the rocket is launched, it will separate into two pieces — one sending the satellite to outer space and one returning to Earth.
For the latest on the satellite launch, read our live blog below.
SpaceX announces the satellite launch is a go // 8:35 pm ET
SpaceX has announced that the weather is favorable for the launch of the new US Space Force GPS III-9 satellite. Propellant load is about to begin.
The launch had been called off yesterday due to bad weather.
Live stream the satellite launch // 8:38 pm ET
Want to watch the rocket launch in real-time? You can check out SpaceX’s live stream below.
Operations support team prepares for launch // 8:41 pm ET
The Brevard County Emergency Management Office has announced that their operations support team has been activated in anticipation of the SpaceX satellite launch. The launch is anticipated to take place between 11:30 pm – 12:05 am ET.
The rocket’s planned maneuver: split in two // 8:47 pm ET
The Falcon 9 rocket will separate into two pieces after launch, one of which will deliver the satellite to outer space and the other returning to earth to land on a launching pad. You can view the planned maneuvers in the graphic below.
SpaceX announces liftoff // 8:50 pm ET
You can watch as the Falcon 9 rocket launches in the post from SpaceX below.
Why do we need GPS satellites? // 8:54 pm ET
According to a statement from the U.S. Space Force, “About 12,000 miles above our heads, a network of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites silently keeps our world running smoothly. More than 4 billion people around the world depend on GPS signals every day.”
First stage successfully lands on autonomous droneship // 9:00 pm ET
SpaceX confirms that the part of the rocket that breaks off in the first stage to return to Earth has successfully landed on the autonomous droneship, allowing it to make a soft landing.The droneship is named “A Shortfall of Gravitas.”
Rocket deploys GPS III-9 satellite // 9:02 pm ET
The second half of the rocket has deployed the GPS III-9 satellite into outer space as planned. SpaceX has confirmed and posted a video of the satellite entering space, which you can see below.
Mission Complete: GPS III-9 satellite enters orbit // 9:04 pm ET
The Falcon 9 rocket has officially completed its mission: launching GPS III-9 into orbit. This satellite joins one of the several launches SpaceX has conducted so far in 2026.
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