SVO1 Mission Patch (Courtesy NASA Spaceflight.com)
by Chris Tobias
Tuesday’s launch of a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station will carry the GPS III SVO1 satellite into orbit for the United States Air Force. Once deployed, the satellite will join existing global positioning systems (GPS) to assist in providing navigation, positioning and timing services for the United States. This particular satellite, which was built by Lockheed Martin, is nicknamed “Vespucci” after Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer from whose name the word “America” is derived.
SpaceX will also have a special guest on hand for its first national security mission, as US Vice-President Mike Pence will be in attendance to view the launch. The Vice-President called SpaceX’s launch of GPS III SVO1 “… an important step forward as we seek to secure American leadership in space.”
SpaceX will use a brand new Falcon 9 for this mission, and will not attempt to land the first stage after launch. Liftoff is scheduled for NET December 18 at 9:10AM EST (14:10 UTC). Weather conditions are currently 90% favorable.
Those who wish to view the launch can watch live at spacex.com and on SpaceX’s YouTube channel. The webcast will commence approximately 20 minutes before liftoff, but since this is a national security launch we may not be able to watch the mission in its entirety.
Peace, love and rockets…
Take Back the Sky 
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