# GPS-III SV09

> GPS III satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q137924596](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137924596)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-581)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gps-iii-sv09

## Summary
GPS-III SV09 is a United States GPS Block III navigation satellite (also known as GPS-III 09, Navstar 85, and USA-581) launched on 2026-01-28. It was built by Lockheed Martin Space, uses the A2100 spacecraft bus, and was launched to medium Earth orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

## Key Facts
- GPS-III SV09 is an instance of the GPS Block III class and is part of the Global Positioning System constellation.  
- Official launch date: 2026-01-28, launch time qualifier 04:53:16.  
- COSPAR ID: 2026-017A; Satellite catalog number (SCN): 67588.  
- Dry mass: 2,269 kilograms (criterion used: dry weight).  
- Spacecraft bus: A2100; manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space.  
- Operator: United States Space Force.  
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5 (booster identifiers: B1096 and B1096.5); launch contractor: SpaceX.  
- Launch site / start point: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- Orbit regime: medium Earth orbit.  
- Power and propulsion: powered by spacecraft solar array (quantity: 2) and uses LEROS (onboard propulsion).

## FAQs
### Q: What is GPS-III SV09?
A: GPS-III SV09 is a U.S. military navigation satellite of the GPS Block III series, operating in medium Earth orbit as part of the Global Positioning System constellation.

### Q: When and how was GPS-III SV09 launched?
A: GPS-III SV09 was launched on 2026-01-28 (time qualifier 04:53:16) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (boosters B1096 / B1096.5).

### Q: Who manufactured and operates GPS-III SV09?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space and is operated by the United States Space Force.

### Q: What are the identifiers and alternate names for GPS-III SV09?
A: Identifiers and aliases include GPS-III 09, Navstar 85, GPS III-9, USA-581, GPS-3 9, and the name Ellison Onizuka. COSPAR ID is 2026-017A and SCN is 67588.

### Q: What is the spacecraft bus and mass of GPS-III SV09?
A: GPS-III SV09 uses Lockheed Martin's A2100 spacecraft bus and has a dry mass of 2,269 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
GPS-III SV09 is a deployed element of the U.S. Global Positioning System, contributing to the maintained and continuous operation of the GPS constellation. As an instance of the GPS Block III series, it is part of an ongoing rollout of satellites that sustain and replenish navigation services relied upon by civilian, commercial, and military users worldwide. Its placement in medium Earth orbit supports the global delivery of positioning, navigation, and timing signals. The satellite’s A2100 bus and LEROS propulsion, combined with dual spacecraft solar arrays, provide the capability and endurance required for long-term orbital operations. The satellite’s launch on a Falcon 9 Block 5 from Cape Canaveral reflects the public–private launch architecture used to place modern GPS spacecraft on-orbit. Collectively, these facts explain why GPS-III SV09 is a consequential asset in the GPS constellation’s operational capacity.

## Notable For
- Official designations include Navstar 85 and USA-581, and it is also known by the name Ellison Onizuka.  
- Launched on 2026-01-28 from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 with boosters identified as B1096 and B1096.5.  
- Uses Lockheed Martin’s A2100 spacecraft bus and has a reported dry mass of 2,269 kg.  
- Registered COSPAR ID 2026-017A and satellite catalog number 67588.  
- Operated by the United States Space Force as part of the Global Positioning System.

## Body

### Overview
- GPS-III SV09 is a GPS Block III satellite and part of the Global Positioning System constellation.  
- It is designated by multiple aliases including GPS-III 09, Navstar 85, GPS III-9, USA-581, GPS-3 9, and Ellison Onizuka.

### Identification and registration
- COSPAR ID: 2026-017A.  
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 67588.  
- Wikipedia title associated with the satellite: USA-581.

### Launch details
- Launch date: 2026-01-28 (launch time qualifier recorded as 04:53:16).  
- Launch site / start point: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- Launch vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5.  
- Booster identifiers associated with the mission: B1096 and B1096.5.  
- Launch contractor: SpaceX.  
- Noted significant event: rocket launch from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 on 2026-01-28.

### Technical specifications
- Spacecraft bus: A2100.  
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space.  
- Dry mass: 2,269 kg (criterion used: dry weight).  
- Power: spacecraft solar array (count: 2).  
- Propulsion: LEROS (listed as a power/propulsion component in the satellite’s configuration).  
- Orbit regime: medium Earth orbit.

### Operations and role
- Operator: United States Space Force.  
- Part of: Global Positioning System (provides navigation capability as a GPS satellite).  
- Instance of: GPS Block III satellite class.  
- Preceded by: GPS-III SV08.

### Metadata and provenance
- Country of origin / registration: United States.  
- Manufacturer reference: Lockheed Martin Space.  
- Launch and mission references recorded by launch provider and mission registries (as supplied in the source dataset).

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/navstar-3.htm)
2. CelesTrak
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7226/)
5. [Source](https://www.spacex.com/launches/gpsiii9)