According to sources Billionaire Elon Musk owned SpaceX has successfully launched and deployed a powerful next generation GPS navigation satellite into orbit making it the company's first ever US government sanctioned national security space mission. Furthermore a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket climbed into orbit on Sunday with the GPS 3 satellite designed to beam higher power positioning, navigation and timing signals around the world.
The company said "On Sunday, SpaceX successfully launched the US Air Force's first Global Positioning System III space vehicle (SV) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida”. Reportedly the satellite was deployed to its intended orbit approximately one hour and 56 minutes after lift-off. Meanwhile due to mission requirements, SpaceX did not attempt to land Falcon 9's first stage after launch.
US Vice President Mike Pence, also Chairman of the US National Space Council said "The most important thing is that we get that rocket up safely and securely and it achieves its mission". The report said "Multiple data streams will enable receivers in aircraft, for example, to compensate for atmospheric effects that might otherwise reduce accuracy”. Accordingly SpaceX won an initial contract to launch the first GPS 3 satellite in 2016.
