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]
![]() A Block IIF GPS satellite | |
Names | GPS IIF-12 GPS SVN-70 NAVSTAR 76 |
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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 |
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]
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]
NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellites | |
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List of GPS satellites | |
Block I | |
Block II | |
Block IIA | |
Block IIR | |
Block IIRM | |
Block IIF | |
Block III | |
Block IIIF |
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Italics indicate future missions. Signs † indicate launch failures. |
← 2015 · Orbital launches in 2016 · 2017 → | |
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Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Cubesats are smaller. Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses). |
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