USA-1 (satellite)
USA-1, also known as Navstar 9, GPS I-9 and GPS SVN-9, was an American navigation satellite launched in 1984 as part of the Global Positioning System development programme. It was the ninth of eleven Block I GPS satellites to be launched,[1] and the first satellite to receive a USA designation.
| Mission type | Navigation Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 1984-059A |
| SATCAT no. | 15039 |
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) 10 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block I |
| Manufacturer | Rockwell[1] |
| Launch mass | 759 kilograms (1,673 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 13 June 1984, 11:37 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas E/F SGS-2, 42E[2] |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-3W[2] |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | 20 June 1994 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,009 kilometres (12,433 mi)[3] |
| Apogee altitude | 20,354 kilometres (12,647 mi)[3] |
| Inclination | 62.5 degrees[3] |
| Period | 717.94 minutes[3] |
USA-1 was launched at 11:37 UTC on 13 June 1984, atop an Atlas E/F carrier rocket with an SGS-2 upper stage. The Atlas used had the serial number 42E, and was originally built as an Atlas E.[2] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 3W at Vandenberg Air Force Base,[4] and placed USA-1 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-27 apogee motor.[1]
By 14 July 1984, USA-1 had been raised to an orbit with a perigee of 20,009 kilometres (12,433 mi), an apogee of 20,354 kilometres (12,647 mi), a period of 717.94 minutes, and 62.5 degrees of inclination to the equator.[3] The satellite had a design life of 5 years and a mass of 758 kilograms (1,671 lb).[1] It broadcast the PRN 13 signal in the GPS demonstration constellation, and was retired from service on 20 June 1994.
References
- 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.