USA-117
USA-117, also known as GPS IIA-16, GPS II-25 and GPS SVN-33, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the sixteenth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.
| Mission type | Navigation |
|---|---|
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 1996-019A[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 23833[1] |
| Mission duration | 7.5 years (planned)[2] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block IIA[2] |
| Manufacturer | Rockwell[2] |
| Launch mass | 1,816 kilograms (4,004 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 28 March 1996, 00:21:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta II 7925-9.5, D234[3] |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-17B[3] |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Placed in a graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated | 2 August 2014, 22:00:00 UTC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,080 kilometres (12,480 mi)[4] |
| Apogee altitude | 20,284 kilometres (12,604 mi)[4] |
| Inclination | 54.7 degrees[4] |
| Period | 717.96 minutes[4] |
USA-117 was launched at 00:21:00 UTC on 28 March 1996, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D234, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[3] The launch took place from Launch Complex 17B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-117 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[2]
On 27 April 1996, USA-117 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,080 kilometres (12,480 mi), an apogee of 20,284 kilometres (12,604 mi), a period of 717.96 minutes, and 54.7 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcasts the PRN 03 signal, and operates in slot 2 of plane C of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite has a mass of 1,816 kilograms (4,004 lb). It had a design life of 7.5 years;[2] however, it actually remained in service until August 2, 2014.
It was subsequently disposed of and currently resides in a disposal orbit approximately 500 km above the operational constellation.[7]
References
- "Navstar 2A-16". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2A (Navstar-2A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- "N2YO.com". Retrieved 18 July 2015.