USA-128

USA-128, also known as GPS IIA-18, GPS II-27 and GPS SVN-30, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the eighteenth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.

USA-128
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID1996-056A[1]
SATCAT no.24320[1]
Mission duration7.5 years (planned)[2]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIA[2]
ManufacturerRockwell[2]
Launch mass1,816 kilograms (4,004 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date12 September 1996, 08:49:00 (1996-09-12UTC08:49Z) UTC
RocketDelta II 7925-9.5, D238[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-17A[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,058 kilometres (12,463 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,305 kilometres (12,617 mi)[4]
Inclination54.7 degrees[4]
Period717.94 minutes[4]
 

USA-128 was launched at 08:49:00 UTC on 12 September 1996, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D238, 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-128 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[2]

On 17 October 1996, USA-128 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,058 kilometres (12,463 mi), an apogee of 20,305 kilometres (12,617 mi), a period of 717.94 minutes, and 54.7 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcasts the PRN 30 signal, and operates in slot 2 of plane B 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] and was decommissioned on July 20, 2011.[7]

References
  1. "Navstar 2A-18". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  2. Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2A (Navstar-2A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  4. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  5. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. "NANU 2011-048". Celestrak. Retrieved 5 September 2012.


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