A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:53 p.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The vehicle deployed a Lockheed Martin-built Global Positioning System (GPS) III SV09 satellite to medium Earth orbit. Credit: SpaceX

ORLANDO, Fla. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a U.S. Space Force GPS satellite late Jan. 27, continuing a string of national security missions reassigned from United Launch Alliance as the Space Force moves to accelerate deployment of the constellation.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...