USA-88

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USA-88
A Block IIS GPS satellite
A Block IIA GPS satellite
Operator US Air Force
Major contractors Rockwell[1]
Bus GPS Block IIA[1]
Mission type Navigation
Launch date 3 February 1993, 02:55:00 (1993-02-03UTC02:55Z) UTC
Carrier rocket Delta II 7925-9.5 D218[2]
Launch site Cape Canaveral LC-17A[2]
Mission duration 7.5 years (planned)[1]
Ceased operations 6 August 2003
COSPAR ID 1993-007A[3]
SATCAT 22446[3]
Mass 1,816 kilograms (4,000 lb)[1]
Orbital elements
Regime Semisynchronous medium Earth
Inclination 54.8°[4]
Apoapsis 20,354 kilometres (12,647 mi)[4]
Periapsis 20,007 kilometres (12,432 mi)[4]
Orbital period 717.9 minutes[4]

USA-88, also known as GPS IIA-9, GPS II-18 and GPS SVN-22, was an American navigation satellite which formed part of the Global Positioning System. It was the ninth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.

USA-88 was launched at 02:55:00 UTC on 3 February 1993, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D218, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[2] The launch took place from Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-88 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[1]

On 5 March 1993, USA-88 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,007 kilometres (12,432 mi), an apogee of 20,354 kilometres (12,647 mi), a period of 717.9 minutes, and 54.8 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcast PRN 22, and operated in slot 1 of plane B of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite had a mass of 1,816 kilograms (4,000 lb). It had a design life of 7.5 years,[1] and ceased operations on 6 August 2003.

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2A (Navstar-2A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012. 
  2. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012. 
  3. ^ a b "Navstar 2A-09". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 10 July 2012. 
  4. ^ a b c d e McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012. 
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012. 
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 10 July 2012.