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SpaceX to Launch GPS III-8 Amid Vulcan Delays

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

GPS III-8 will launch on Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Falcon 9 instead of United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s Vulcan, due to ongoing issues with Vulcan's solid rocket boosters, announced March 20.
The move seeks timely GPS delivery while Vulcan anomalies are investigated.
The GPS III-8 mission is set for late April from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
ULA will launch USSF-70, originally assigned to SpaceX, in summer 2028.

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Story summary

GPS III-8 will launch on Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Falcon 9 instead of United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s Vulcan, due to ongoing issues with Vulcan's solid rocket boosters, announced March 20.
The move seeks timely GPS delivery while Vulcan anomalies are investigated.
The GPS III-8 mission is set for late April from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
ULA will launch USSF-70, originally assigned to SpaceX, in summer 2028.