USA-260
A Block IIF GPS satellite
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID2015-013A[1]
SATCAT no.40534[1]
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS SVN-71 (IIF-9)
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIF
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date25 March 2015, 18:36 (2015-03-25UTC18:36Z) UTC
RocketDelta IV-M+(4,2), D371[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-37B[3]
ContractorULA
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,445 km (12,704 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,468 km (12,718 mi)[4]
Inclination55.00 degrees[4]
Period729.14 minutes[4]
Epoch25 March 2015, 23:57:44 UTC
 

USA-260, also known as GPS IIF-9, GPS SVN-71 and NAVSTAR 73, is an American Satellite navigation which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the ninth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.[2]

Launch

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-260 was launched at 18:36 UTC on 25 March 2015, atop a Delta IV carrier rocket, flight number D370, 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-260 directly into medium Earth orbit.[4]

Orbit

On 25 March 2015, USA-260 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,445 kilometers (12,704 mi), an apogee of 20,468 kilometers (12,718 mi), a period of 729.14 minutes, and 55.00 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 26 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane B 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 April 20, 2015.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Navstar 73". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  6. ^ "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2015028". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 31 October 2015.


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