USA-251

USA-251, also known as GPS IIF-6, GPS SVN-67 and NAVSTAR 70, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the sixth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.[2]

USA-251
A Block IIF GPS satellite
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID2014-026A[1]
SATCAT no.39741[1]
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS SVN-67 (IIF-6)
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIF
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date17 May 2014, 00:03 (2014-05-17UTC00:03Z) UTC
RocketDelta IV-M+(4,2), D365[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-37B[3]
ContractorULA
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,443 km (12,703 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,474 km (12,722 mi)[4]
Inclination55.04 degrees[4]
Period729.22 minutes[4]
Epoch17 May 2014
 

Launch

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-251 was launched at 00:03 UTC on 17 May 2014, atop a Delta IV carrier rocket, flight number D366, flying in the Medium+(4,2) configuration.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-251 directly into medium Earth orbit.[4]

Orbit

As of 17 May 2014, USA-251 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,443 kilometers (12,703 mi), an apogee of 20,474 kilometers (12,722 mi), a period of 729.22 minutes, and 55.04 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 06 signal, and operates in slot 6 of plane D 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 June 10, 2014.[6]

gollark: Logarithms are only from 1614, but the basic concept is quite simple.
gollark: Solve random open problems?
gollark: (ignoring air resistance)
gollark: Plot the paths of projectiles? That's pretty trivial mechanics.
gollark: Or just demonstrate cool things you can do.

References
  1. "Navstar 70". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  2. Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  4. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  5. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  6. "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2014049". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 11 June 2014.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.