Mission type | Navigation |
---|---|
Operator | US Air Force |
COSPAR ID | 2014-045A [1] |
SATCAT no. | 40105 [1] |
Mission duration | 12 years (planned) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | GPS SVN-68 (IIF-7) |
Spacecraft type | GPS Block IIF |
Manufacturer | Boeing |
Launch mass | 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb) [2] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 2 August 2014, 03:23 | UTC
Rocket | Atlas V 401, AV-048 [3] |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 [3] |
Contractor | ULA |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime |
Medium Earth ( Semi-synchronous) |
Perigee altitude | 20,341 km (12,639 mi) [4] |
Apogee altitude | 20,469 km (12,719 mi) [4] |
Inclination | 55.02 degrees [4] |
Period | 727.05 minutes [4] |
Epoch | 2 August 2014 |
USA-256, also known as GPS IIF-7, GPS SVN-68 and NAVSTAR 71, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the seventh of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched. [2]
Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-256 was launched at 03:23 UTC on 2 August 2014, atop an Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-048. [3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, [5] and placed USA-256 directly into medium Earth orbit. [4]
As of 3 August 2014, USA-256 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,341 kilometers (12,639 mi), an apogee of 20,469 kilometers (12,719 mi), a period of 727.05 minutes, and 55.02 degrees of inclination to the equator. [4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 09 signal, and operates in slot 6 of plane F of the GPS constellation. The satellite has a design life of 12 years and a mass of 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb). [2] It is currently in service following commissioning on September 17, 2014. [6]