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USA-177, also known as GPS IIR-11 and GPS SVN-59, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the eleventh Block IIR GPS satellite to be launched, out of thirteen in the original configuration, and twenty one overall. It was built by Lockheed Martin, using the AS-4000 satellite bus.[2]

USA-177

A Block IIR GPS satellite
Mission type	Navigation
Operator	US Air Force
COSPAR ID	2004-009A[1]
SATCAT no.	28190[1]
Mission duration	10 years (planned)[2]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	GPS Block IIR[2]
Bus	AS-4000[2]
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin[2]
Launch mass	2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date	20 March 2004, 17:53:00 (2004-03-20UTC17:53Z) UTC
Rocket	Delta II 7925-9.5, D303[3]
Launch site	Cape Canaveral SLC-17B[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude	20,095 kilometres (12,486 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude	20,271 kilometres (12,596 mi)[4]
Inclination	55 degrees[4]
Period	718 minutes[4]

USA-177 was launched at 17:53:00 UTC on 20 March 2004, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D303, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 17B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-177 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37FM apogee motor.[2]

By 20 May 2004, USA-177 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,095 kilometres (12,486 mi), an apogee of 20,271 kilometres (12,596 mi), a period of 718 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 19 signal, and operates in slot 3 of plane C of the GPS constellation. The satellite has a mass of 2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb), and a design life of 10 years.[2] As of 2012 it remains in service.

References

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