USA-258
A Block IIF GPS satellite
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID2014-068A[1]
SATCAT no.40294[1]
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS SVN-69 (IIF-8)
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIF
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date29 October 2014, 17:21 (2014-10-29UTC17:21Z) UTC
RocketAtlas V 401, AV-050[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-41[3]
ContractorULA
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,455 km (12,710 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,480 km (12,730 mi)[4]
Inclination55.00 degrees[4]
Period729.56 minutes[4]
Epoch29 October 2014
 

USA-258, also known as GPS IIF-8, GPS SVN-69 and NAVSTAR 72, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the eighth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.[2]

Launch

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-258 was launched at 17:21 UTC on 29 October 2014, atop an Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-050.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-258 directly into medium Earth orbit.[4]

Orbit

As of 29 October 2014, USA-258 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,455 kilometers (12,710 mi), an apogee of 20,480 kilometers (12,730 mi), a period of 729.56 minutes, and 55.00 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 03 signal, and operates in slot 1 of plane E 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 December 12, 2014.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Navstar 72". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  6. ^ "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2014090". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 13 December 2014.


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