USA-266
 A Block IIF GPS satellite | |
| Mission type | Navigation |
|---|---|
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2016-007A[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 41328[1] |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GPS SVN-70 (IIF-12) |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block IIF |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Launch mass | 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 5 February 2016, 13:38 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V 401, AV-057[3] |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-41[3] |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,196 km (12,549 mi)[4] |
| Apogee altitude | 20,181 km (12,540 mi)[4] |
| Inclination | 55.01 degrees[4] |
| Period | 717.9 minutes[4] |
| Epoch | 12 March 2016, 01:14:53 UTC |
USA-266, also known as GPS IIF-12, GPS SVN-70 and NAVSTAR 76, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the twelfth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.[2]
Launch
Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-266 was launched at 13:38 UTC on 5 February 2016, atop a Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-057.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-266 directly into semi-synchronous orbit.[4]
Orbit
As of 12 March 2016, USA-266 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,181 kilometers (12,540 mi), an apogee of 20,196 kilometers (12,549 mi), a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55.01 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 32 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane F of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite has a design life of 15 years and a mass of 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb). [2] It is currently in service following commissioning on March 9, 2016.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Navstar 76". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ "GPS Constellation Status". US Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2016022". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
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