USA-266
A Block IIF GPS satellite
NamesGPS IIF-12
GPS SVN-70
NAVSTAR 76
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID2016-007A [1]
SATCAT no.41328
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS SVN-70 (IIF-12)
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIF
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass1,630 kg (3,590 lb) [2]
Start of mission
Launch date5 February 2016, 13:38 UTC
RocketAtlas V 401 (AV-057) [3]
Launch siteCCAFS, SLC-41
ContractorULA
Entered service9 March 2016
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,196 km (12,549 mi)
Apogee altitude20,181 km (12,540 mi)
Inclination55.01°
Period717.9 minutes
 

USA-266, also known as GPS IIF-12, GPS SVN-70 and NAVSTAR 76, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the twelfth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.[2]

Launch

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA), USA-266 was launched at 13:38 UTC on 5 February 2016, atop an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, vehicle number AV-057.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[4] and placed USA-266 directly into semi-synchronous orbit.[5]

Orbit

As of March 2016, USA-266 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,181 km (12,540 mi), an apogee of 20,196 km (12,549 mi), a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55.01° of inclination to the equator.[5] It is used to broadcast the PRN 32 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane F of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite has a design life of 12 years and a mass of 1,630 kg (3,590 lb).[2] It is currently in service following commissioning on 9 March 2016.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Navstar 76". NASA. Retrieved 13 March 2016. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  3. ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  4. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  5. ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  6. ^ "GPS Constellation Status". US Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved 8 April 2016. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2016022". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 13 March 2016.


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