USA-266
American navigation satellite used for GPS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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Launch of GPS-IIF 12 | |
| Names | GPS IIF-12 GPS SVN-70 NAVSTAR 76 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Navigation |
| Operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2016-007A[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 41328 |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GPS SVN-70 (IIF-12) |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block IIF |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Launch mass | 1,630 kg (3,590 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 5 February 2016, 13:38 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V 401 (AV-057)[3] |
| Launch site | CCAFS, SLC-41 |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Entered service | 9 March 2016 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Medium Earth orbit (Semi-synchronous) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,196 km (12,549 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 20,181 km (12,540 mi) |
| Inclination | 55.01° |
| Period | 717.9 minutes |
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]
