This article is based on an official press release from SpaceX and mission data provided by the U.S. Space Force and Lockheed Martin.

SpaceX Successfully Deploys GPS III SV09 “Ellison Onizuka” for U.S. Space Force

SpaceX has successfully launched the ninth Global Positioning System III (GPS III) satellite into medium Earth orbit, continuing the modernization of the United States’ premier navigation constellation. The mission, managed by the U.S. Space Force, lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

According to official mission data from SpaceX, the Falcon 9 rocket launched on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 11:53 p.m. EST. The payload, designated GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), was deployed approximately 89 minutes after liftoff. This mission marks another successful collaboration between commercial launch providers and national security agencies to maintain critical global infrastructure.

Launch Vehicle and Recovery Statistics

The mission utilized a flight-proven Falcon 9 first-stage booster, identified by tail number B1096. SpaceX confirmed that this was the fifth flight for this specific booster. Its service history includes the launch of the KF-01 Kuiper mission, NASA’s IMAP mission, the NROL-77 national security mission, and one Starlink deployment.

Following stage separation, the first stage executed a controlled descent and successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This recovery underscores the routine nature of booster reuse in modern National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions.

Payload Capabilities: The “Ellison Onizuka” Satellite

The satellite launched on this mission is nicknamed “Ellison Onizuka” in honor of the U.S. Air Force Colonel and astronaut who perished in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The launch timing was particularly poignant, occurring just hours before the 40th anniversary of the tragedy on January 28.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, SV09 is the ninth of ten planned “Block III” satellites. These spacecraft represent a significant technological leap over previous generations. According to manufacturer specifications, the GPS III series offers the following enhancements:

• Improved Accuracy: The satellites provide three times greater accuracy than the legacy Block II satellites.
• Anti-Jamming: The units feature eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities, a critical upgrade for operations in contested electronic warfare environments.
• Signal Interoperability: The satellite broadcasts the L1C civilian signal, which is interoperable with Europe’s Galileo system, as well as the M-Code military signal designed for secure use by U.S. and allied forces.

The satellite is designed for a lifespan of 15 years and will operate in a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at an altitude of approximately 12,550 miles (20,200 km).

AirPro News Analysis: Strategic Flexibility and Modernization

The successful deployment of SV09 highlights a critical operational capability within the U.S. Space Force: the “flexible manifest.” This mission was originally slated to fly on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket. However, due to certification delays associated with the Vulcan vehicle for NSSL missions, the Space Force exercised its ability to swap the payload to a SpaceX Falcon 9.

From our perspective, this decision demonstrates the maturity of the NSSL program’s goal to ensure schedule assurance. By pivoting between providers, the Space Force avoided potential capability gaps in the GPS constellation. Furthermore, with SV09 in orbit, the initial “Block III” upgrade cycle is nearly complete. This modernization effort is essential not just for military logistics, but for the global civilian economy that relies on precise timing and navigation data.

Future Outlook for the GPS Constellation

With the successful launch of SV09, the focus now shifts to the final satellite of this block. The tenth GPS III satellite (SV10) is currently scheduled for launch in March 2026. Following the completion of the Block III series, the Space Force and industry partners will transition to the next generation, known as GPS III Follow-On (GPS IIIF).

Launches for the GPS IIIF series are expected to commence in 2027. These future satellites promise even more robust capabilities, including a fully digital navigation payload and up to 60 times greater anti-jamming power compared to legacy systems.

Sources: SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Space Force

Oman Becomes 61st Nation to Sign Artemis Accords

The Sultanate of Oman has officially joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 61st nation to commit to the United States-led framework for peaceful and responsible space exploration. The signing ceremony took place on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Muscat, coinciding with the opening of the Middle-East Space Conference (MESC).

According to the official announcement from NASA, the signing marks a significant step in the diplomatic and scientific relationship between Oman and the United States. The Accords were signed by Said al-Maawali, Oman’s Minister of Transportation, Communication, and Information Technology, on behalf of the Sultanate.

Representing the United States at the event were Ana Escrogima, U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, and Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman delivered remarks via a pre-recorded video, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in the modern space era.

“Oman’s accession to the Artemis Accords sets an important example about the value of responsible behavior and shared pursuit of discovery. Oman joins the U.S. and our other partners on ensuring the peaceful exploration of space for generations to come.”

, Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

Strategic Expansion of Oman’s Space Sector

Oman’s decision to join the Accords aligns with its broader national Strategy, Oman Vision 2040, which identifies the space sector as a critical component for economic diversification and the development of a digital economy. By signing the Accords, Oman integrates itself into a global coalition committed to standards that facilitate commercial and civil space activities.

Data compiled from the Middle East Space Conference indicates that Oman has rapidly accelerated its space capabilities in recent years. Key milestones leading up to this accession include:

• Infrastructure Development: The development of the Etlaq Spaceport in Duqm, the region’s first commercial spaceport, which leverages a strategic equatorial location.
• Launch Heritage: The successful Launch of “Duqm-1,” the first suborbital rocket from Omani soil, conducted on December 5, 2024.
• Satellite Deployment: The launch of OL-1, an AI-powered optical earth observation satellite, in November 2024.

According to officials at the conference, Investment in Oman’s space sector reportedly saw a 200% increase by the end of 2025, signaling strong government and commercial backing for these initiatives.

Principles of the Artemis Accords

The Artemis Accords, established in 2020, are a non-binding set of principles grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. They are designed to guide civil space exploration and ensure that participating nations operate with transparency and safety. As the 61st signatory, Oman has committed to core principles including:

• Peaceful Purposes: Conducting all space activities solely for peaceful ends.
• Transparency and Interoperability: Openly sharing policies and ensuring systems are compatible to enhance safety.
• Emergency Assistance: Providing aid to astronauts in distress.
• Scientific Data Release: The open sharing of scientific findings with the global community.

AirPro News Analysis

We view Oman’s accession as a calculated geopolitical and economic move. By hosting the Middle East Space Conference and securing its status as the 61st Artemis signatory, Oman is positioning itself as a neutral, high-tech hub within the Middle East space economy. This distinguishes its program from the more established, headline-heavy programs of neighbors like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, the “incremental” approach noted by industry analysts, moving from suborbital tests with the Duqm-1 to international governance participation, suggests a focus on sustainable, long-term commercial viability rather than purely prestige-driven projects. This aligns with the practical economic goals of Vision 2040, reducing risk while building the “launch heritage” necessary to attract international commercial partners like PLD Space.

Sources

• NASA Press Release

Starfighters Space Validates StarLaunch 1 Separation in Critical Wind Tunnel Tests

Starfighters Space, Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) has successfully completed a comprehensive wind tunnel testing campaign for its StarLaunch 1 vehicle, a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to develop a responsive, air-launched suborbital rocket. The tests, conducted at the FAMU/FSU Joint College of Engineering Polysonic Wind Tunnel, validated the aerodynamic safety of releasing the launch vehicle from the company’s supersonic F-104 Starfighter aircraft.

According to the company’s announcement, the campaign focused on verifying “clean separation” characteristics across multiple flight regimes. The data gathered confirms that the StarLaunch 1 can safely detach from the F-104 carrier aircraft without adverse aerodynamic interactions, a fundamental requirement for air-launched systems.

Validating the Separation Dynamics

The primary objective of this testing phase was to ensure that the launch vehicle would separate predictably from the aircraft under high-speed conditions. Starfighters Space reported that tests were conducted at both subsonic (Mach 0.85) and supersonic (Mach 1.3) speeds. These specific velocity points are critical to the company’s launch profile, which leverages the high-speed capabilities of the F-104 to impart significant initial energy to the rocket.

Company officials noted that the experimental results showed a strong correlation with pre-test Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models. This alignment between simulation and physical testing reduces technical risk as the program moves toward flight hardware.

“Demonstrating clean, predictable separation across these flight regimes is a foundational requirement for an air-launched system. The close alignment between our simulations and the wind tunnel results gives us confidence in the underlying design and allows us to proceed methodically to the next phase of testing.”

, Rick Svetkoff, CEO of Starfighters Space

The F-104 Platform Advantage

Starfighters Space utilizes a unique launch platform: the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. As the only commercial operator of a fleet of flight-ready F-104s, the company aims to exploit the aircraft’s high performance for commercial space access and defense testing. Unlike modified commercial airliners used by other air-launch proponents, the F-104 is a supersonic interceptor capable of sustained speeds over Mach 2 and altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet.

By launching from a supersonic condition (Mach 1.3+), the StarLaunch 1 vehicle requires less onboard propellant to reach hypersonic velocities (Mach 5+) or suborbital space compared to ground-launched or subsonic air-launched systems. This capability positions the vehicle as a potential testbed for high-speed research and microgravity experiments.

AirPro News Analysis: The Niche of High-Speed Air Launch

While the heavy-lift air-launch market has faced significant headwinds, most notably with the bankruptcy of Virgin Orbit, Starfighters Space appears to be targeting a different operational niche. Rather than competing for large satellite constellations, the F-104 platform is sized for smaller, “tactical” payloads and high-cadence hypersonic testing.

In our view, the validation of supersonic separation is the key differentiator here. Most air-launch systems drop from subsonic carrier aircraft (like a Boeing 747 or L-1011). Starfighters’ ability to release at Mach 1.3 offers a kinematic advantage that is particularly relevant for the defense sector’s insatiable demand for hypersonic test targets. If the company can translate these wind tunnel results into successful flight tests, they may secure a defensible position in the “test and evaluation” market, distinct from the crowded commercial launch sector.

Path to Flight Testing

With aerodynamic validation complete, Starfighters Space has outlined the immediate next steps for the StarLaunch 1 program. The company stated it will now move toward the procurement and Manufacturing of instrumented drop test articles.

The upcoming phase will involve physical drop tests, where unpowered test vehicles will be released from the F-104 in flight to verify the wind tunnel data in a real-world environment. Successful completion of these drop tests is the final major milestone required before the company attempts powered suborbital flights.

The development of StarLaunch 1 is being conducted in Partnerships with Innoveering, LLC, a GE Aerospace company known for its expertise in high-speed gas dynamics and advanced propulsion, further underscoring the program’s focus on high-performance flight regimes.

Sources

• Starfighters Space Press Release