USA-96

USA-96, also known as GPS IIA-14, GPS II-23 and GPS SVN-34, is an American navigation satellite which is part of the Global Positioning System. It was the fourteenth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.

USA-96
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID1993-068A[1]
SATCAT no.22877[1]
Mission duration​7 1⁄2 years (planned)
26 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIA[2]
ManufacturerRockwell[2]
Launch mass1,816 kilograms (4,004 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date26 October 1993, 17:04:00 (1993-10-26UTC17:04Z) UTC
RocketDelta II 7925-9.5, D223[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-17B[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,104 kilometres (12,492 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,260 kilometres (12,590 mi)[4]
Inclination55 degrees[4]
Period717.96 minutes[4]
 

USA-96 was launched at 17:04:00 UTC on 26 October 1993, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D223, 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-96 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[2]

On 25 November 1993, USA-96 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,104 kilometres (12,492 mi), an apogee of 20,260 kilometres (12,590 mi), a period of 717.96 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcast the PRN 04 signal, and operated in slot 4 of plane D 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] It was temporarily removed from the GPS constellation on 2 November 2015.[7] From 20 March 2018 the satellite was operational again, broadcasting the PRN 18 signal, from slot 6 of Plane D,[8] until 9 October 2019, when it was permanently retired.[9]

References
  1. "Navstar 2A-14". 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 10 July 2012.
  4. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  5. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. "Notice Advisory to GPS Users". NAVCEN. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  8. "Notice Advisory to GPS Users". www.navcen.uscg.gov. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  9. "Notice Advisory to GPS Users". www.navcen.uscg.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-28.


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