OPS 5118
OPS 5118, also known as Navstar 6, GPS I-6 and GPS SVN-6, was an American navigation satellite launched in 1980 as part of the Global Positioning System development programme. It was the sixth of eleven Block I GPS satellites to be launched.[2]
| Mission type | Navigation Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 1980-032A[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 11783[1] |
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) 11 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block I |
| Manufacturer | Rockwell[2] |
| Launch mass | 759 kilograms (1,673 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 April 1980, 22:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas E/F SGS-1, 34F[3] |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-3E[3] |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | 6 March 1991 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,006 kilometres (12,431 mi)[4] |
| Apogee altitude | 20,357 kilometres (12,649 mi)[4] |
| Inclination | 62.8 degrees[4] |
| Period | 717.94 minutes[4] |
OPS 5118 was launched at 22:00 UTC on 26 April 1980, atop an Atlas E/F carrier rocket with an SGS-1 upper stage. The Atlas used had the serial number 34F, and was originally built as an Atlas F.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base,[5] and placed OPS 5118 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-27 apogee motor.[2]
By 27 May 1980, OPS 5118 had been raised to an orbit with a perigee of 20,006 kilometres (12,431 mi), an apogee of 20,357 kilometres (12,649 mi), a period of 717.94 minutes, and 62.8 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] The satellite had a design life of 5 years and a mass of 758 kilograms (1,671 lb).[2] It broadcast the PRN 09 signal in the GPS demonstration constellation, and was retired from service on 6 March 1991.
References
- "Navstar 6". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- Krebs, Gunter. "GPS (Navstar)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 12 July 2012.