USA-260
 A Block IIF GPS satellite | |
| Mission type | Navigation |
|---|---|
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2015-013A[1] |
| SATCATno. | 40534[1] |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GPS SVN-71 (IIF-9) |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block IIF |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Launch mass | 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 March 2015, 18:36UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV-M+(4,2),D371[3] |
| Launch site | Cape CanaveralSLC-37B[3] |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,445 km (12,704 mi)[4] |
| Apogee altitude | 20,468 km (12,718 mi)[4] |
| Inclination | 55.00 degrees[4] |
| Period | 729.14 minutes[4] |
| Epoch | 25 March 2015, 23:57:44 UTC |
USA-260,also known asGPS IIF-9,GPS SVN-71andNAVSTAR 73,is an AmericanSatellite navigationwhich forms part of theGlobal Positioning System.It was the ninth of twelveBlock IIFsatellites to be launched.[2]
Launch
[edit]Built byBoeingand launched byUnited Launch Alliance,USA-260 was launched at 18:36 UTC on 25 March 2015, atop aDelta IVcarrier rocket, flight number D370, flying in the Medium+(4,2) configuration.[3]The launch took place fromSpace Launch Complex 37Bat theCape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5]and placed USA-260 directly intomedium Earth orbit.[4]
Orbit
[edit]On 25 March 2015, USA-260 was in an orbit with aperigeeof 20,445 kilometers (12,704 mi), anapogeeof 20,468 kilometers (12,718 mi), aperiodof 729.14 minutes, and 55.00 degrees ofinclinationto the equator.[4]It is used to broadcast the PRN 26 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane B of the GPS constellation. 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 April 20, 2015.[6]
References
[edit]
- ^ab"Navstar 73".US National Space Science Data Center.Retrieved26 March2015.
- ^abcKrebs, Gunter."GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved26 March2015.
- ^abcMcDowell, Jonathan."Launch Log".Jonathan's Space Page.Retrieved26 March2015.
- ^abcdefMcDowell, Jonathan."Satellite Catalog".Jonathan's Space Page.Retrieved26 March2015.
- ^McDowell, Jonathan."Launch List".Launch Vehicle Database.Jonathan's Space Page. Archived fromthe originalon 15 August 2020.Retrieved26 March2015.
- ^"NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2015028".United States Coast Guard.Retrieved31 October2015.
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