USA-154

Summary

USA-154, also known as GPS IIR-6 and GPS SVN-41, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the sixth 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-154
A Block IIR GPS satellite
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID2000-071A[1]
SATCAT no.26605[1]
Mission duration10 years (planned)[2]
Final: 22 years, 2 months and 15 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIR[2]
BusAS-4000[2]
ManufacturerLockheed Martin[2]
Launch mass2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date10 November 2000, 17:14:02 (2000-11-10UTC17:14:02Z) UTC
RocketDelta II 7925-9.5, D281[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-17A[3]
End of mission
DisposalDecommissioned
Deactivated25 January 2023 (2023-01-26)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,177 kilometres (12,537 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,498 kilometres (12,737 mi)[4]
Inclination55 degrees[4]
Period724.28 minutes[4]
 

USA-154 was launched at 17:14:02 UTC on 10 November 2000, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D281, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-154 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37FM apogee motor.[2]

By 13 November 2000, USA-154 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,177 kilometres (12,537 mi), an apogee of 20,498 kilometres (12,737 mi), a period of 724.28 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It was used to broadcast the PRN 14 signal, and operated in slot 5 of plane F of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite had a mass of 2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb), and a design life of 10 years.[2]

USA-154 was initially retired on 9 July 2020. It was subsequently reactivated on 20 January 2022 and decommissioned again on 25 January 2023.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Navstar 49". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2R (Navstar-2R)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  3. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. ^ "GPS Constellation Status". Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  7. ^ "NANU2023006". Celestrak. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.