USA-92

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USA-92
A Block IIA 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 26 June 1993, 13:27:00 (1993-06-26UTC13:27Z) UTC
Carrier rocket Delta II 7925-9.5 D221[2]
Launch site Cape Canaveral LC-17A[2]
Mission duration 7.5 years (planned)[1]
COSPAR ID 1993-042A[3]
SATCAT 22700[3]
Mass 1,816 kilograms (4,000 lb)[1]
Orbital elements
Regime Semisynchronous medium Earth
Inclination 54.7°[4]
Apoapsis 20,244 kilometres (12,579 mi)[4]
Periapsis 20,120 kilometres (12,500 mi)[4]
Orbital period 717.96 minutes[4]

USA-92, also known as GPS IIA-12, GPS II-21 and GPS SVN-39, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the twelfth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.

USA-92 was launched at 13:27:00 UTC on 26 June 1993, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D221, 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-92 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[1]

On 27 July 1993, USA-92 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,120 kilometres (12,500 mi), an apogee of 20,244 kilometres (12,579 mi), a period of 717.96 minutes, and 54.7 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcasts the PRN 09 signal, and operates in slot 1 of plane A of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite has a mass of 1,816 kilograms (4,000 lb). It had a design life of 7.5 years,[1] however as of 2012 it remains in service. It is expected to be replaced by the GPS IIF-3 satellite, scheduled for launch in October 2012.

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-12". 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.