While the competition for its launch in the end came to nothing after ULA pulled out, the first GPS satellite (believed to be GPS IIIA-2) to be launched by Falcon 9 was officially signed to SpaceX’s rocket. The news was announced on 27 April 2016. The contract with the US Air Force was valued at US$82.7 million which is circa 30% higher than the commercial price due to certification expenses. The launch will take place in May 2018. While SpaceX has long had US government business via its NASA commercial resupply services (CRS) contracts, the launch order is the first breakthrough one with the US military.
GPS IIIA-2 satellite launch order goes to SpaceX Falcon 9
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