After June, SpaceX, a private U.S. space launch company, has just helped U.S. space forces launch a GPS III satellite. Through the second generation of GPS III satellites, the U.S. global positioning system is expected to usher in many improvements, such as anti-jamming technology. It is reported that this launch uses a brand-new Falcon 9 rocket, and its booster realizes controlled landing recovery on the unmanned barge in the Atlantic Ocean.

Falcon 9 launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida (from: SpaceX)

At the same time, SpaceX has confirmed that it has put the payload into orbit and is gradually approaching the deployment point, which is the company's second attempt to deliver this type of payload.

(from: SpaceX)

At the beginning of September, SpaceX had suspended the launch two seconds before liftoff because two engines had started early. The investigation found that the problem was due to the use of a small amount of masking material to prevent engine components from entering the fuel line.

Close up of GPS III-IV in the rocket (image from Lockheed Martin)

While modifying the manufacturing and inspection processes, SpaceX also delayed NASA's upcoming crew-1 mission. However, today's successful deployment has also laid a good foundation for confidence in the next manned launch.

If all goes well, three NASA and one JAXA astronauts will go to the international space station on November 14.