USA-260

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]

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
 

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. "Navstar 73". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  2. Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  4. 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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