USA-126
USA-126, also known as GPS IIA-17, GPS II-26 and GPS SVN-40, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the seventeenth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.
| Mission type | Navigation |
|---|---|
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 1996-041A[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 23953[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 | 16 July 1996, 00:50:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta II 7925-9.5, D237[3] |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-17A[3] |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Placed in a graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated | 11 March 2016 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,134 kilometres (12,511 mi)[4] |
| Apogee altitude | 20,227 kilometres (12,568 mi)[4] |
| Inclination | 55 degrees[4] |
| Period | 717.9 minutes[4] |
USA-126 was launched at 00:50:00 UTC on 16 July 1996, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D237, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[3] The launch took place from Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-126 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[2]
On 15 August 1996, USA-126 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,134 kilometres (12,511 mi), an apogee of 20,227 kilometres (12,568 mi), a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcasts the PRN 10 signal, and operates in slot 3 of plane E 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 was kept in service for over 18 years before finally decommissioned from service on July 16, 2015.[7]
Following decommissioning, it was subsequently placed in a disposal orbit approximately 1000 km above the operational constellation on March 11, 2016.[8]
References
- "Navstar 2A-17". 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.
- "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2015069". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- "50 SW to dispose of two GPS satellites". United States Air Force. Retrieved 21 March 2016.