USA-545

USA-545
Launch of GPS-III 08
NamesNavstar 84
GPS-III SV08
Katherine Johnson
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUSSF
COSPAR ID2025-116A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.64202
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS-III SV08
Spacecraft typeGPS Block III
BusA2100M
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date30 May 2025
17:37
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
(F9-482)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-40
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous orbit)
← USA-440 (GPS-III 07)
USA-581 (GPS-III 09) →

USA-545, also known as GPS-III SV08, NAVSTAR 84, and Katherine Johnson, is a United States navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System.

Satellite

Artist's rendering of GPS-III satellite in orbit

SV08 is the eighth GPS Block III satellite to launch. The spacecraft is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite bus, and weighs in at 4,331 kg (9,548 lb).

The manufacturing contract was awarded in February 2013. The satellite was named "Katherine Johnson" in June 2020 following its successful core mate assembly. Declared "Available for Launch" on 10 June 2021.

Launch

The satellite's launch was originally awarded to ULA but it was later switched to SpaceX because of delays in ULA's Vulcan rocket certification. In exchange, ULA was awarded another GPS launch originally planned for Falcon Heavy.

USA-545 was launched by SpaceX on 30 May 2025 at 17:37 UTC, atop a Falcon 9 rocket, in a mission named GPS III-7 as it was their 7th GPS launch.

The launch took place from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

References

  1. ↑ "Search of SATCAT – USA 545". CelesTrak. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "GPS Block III SV04 | Falcon 9". Everyday Astronaut. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin Contracts for Next Set of GPS III Satellites". GPS World. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "GPS III SV08 Core Mate Complete, Space Vehicle Named for NASA Trailblazer". Space and Missile Systems Center. Los Angeles Air Force Base. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ↑ "Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Overview & GPS Enterprise Update" (PDF). U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command. 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  6. 1 2 "Falcon 9 Block 5 – GPS III SV08 (USA-545)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  7. 1 2 "GPS III-7 Mission". SpaceX. Retrieved 5 June 2025.