Once again, ULA can't deliver when the US military needs a satellite in orbit

Ars Technica
March 20, 2026
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1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Space Force transferred its fourth GPS satellite launch contract from ULA to SpaceX due to ULA missing deployment deadlines.

How This Affects You

Reliance on fewer, less-reliable launch providers could delay critical GPS modernization needed for military operations and civilian infrastructure.

AI Summary

The US Space Force has transferred its final GPS Block III satellite launch from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, marking the fourth such reassignment in just over a year. ULA, the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, was scheduled to launch the satellite this month but could not meet the deadline. Space Systems Command announced the shift Friday as three previous GPS satellites originally assigned to ULA's Vulcan rocket were also moved to SpaceX starting in 2024. The military had previously compensated ULA by reassigning three future SpaceX launches to the company, though GPS III SV10 was among those contracts now effectively going back to its original provider.

What's Being Done

Space Systems Command announced the shift Friday as three previous GPS satellites originally assigned to ULA were also moved to SpaceX since 2024.

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