USA-35

Summary

USA-35, also known as Navstar 2-01, GPS II-1 and GPS SVN-14, was an American navigation satellite which formed part of the Global Positioning System. It was the first of nine Block II GPS satellites to be launched, which were the first operational GPS satellites to be launched.

USA-35
NamesNavstar 2-01
GPS II-1
GPS SVN-14
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorU.S. Air Force
COSPAR ID1989-013A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.19802
Mission duration7.5 years (planned)
11 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS II
Spacecraft typeGPS Block II
ManufacturerRockwell International
Launch mass840 kg (1,850 lb) [1]
Dimensions5.3 m (17 ft) of long
Power710 watts
Start of mission
Launch date14 February 1989, 18:30 UTC
RocketDelta II 6925-9.5
(Delta D184) [2]
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-17A
ContractorMcDonnell Douglas
Entered service16 March 1989
End of mission
Deactivated14 April 2000
Last contact26 March 2000
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[3]
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
SlotE1 (slot 1 plane E)
Perigee altitude19,858 km (12,339 mi)
Apogee altitude20,270 km (12,600 mi)
Inclination55.1°
Period713.2 minutes
← USA-10 (Navstar 11)
USA-38 (GPS II-2) →
 

Background edit

It was one of the 21-satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II series. When complete, the constellation will provide precise position data (accurate to within 16 m) to military and civilian users worldwide. Navstar signals can be received on devices as small as a telephone. The new generation Delta is 4.2 m taller and 13% more powerful than its predecessor. It can boost 3,982 kg into low Earth orbit, 1,447 kg into geotransfer orbit. The GPS II satellites, built by Rockwell International for Air Force Space Systems Division, each have a 7.5-year design life. The Air Force intends to launch a GPS II every 2 to 3 months until the constellation of 21 operational satellites and 3 spares is aloft.[1]

Launch edit

USA-35 was launched at 18:30 UTC on 14 February 1989, atop a Delta II launch vehicle, flight number D184, flying in the 6925-9.5 configuration.[2] This was the maiden flight of the Delta II. The launch took place from Launch Complex 17A (LC-17A) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS),[4] and placed USA-35 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[5]

Mission edit

On 16 March 1989, USA-35 was in an orbit with a perigee of 19,858 km (12,339 mi), an apogee of 20,270 km (12,600 mi), a period of 713.2 minutes, and 55.1° of inclination to the equator.[6] The satellite had a mass of 840 kg (1,850 lb), and generated 710 watts of power.[1] It had a design life of 7.5 years;[5] however, it operated until 26 March 2000, when its reaction wheels failed. It was decommissioned on 14 April 2000, having been replaced by USA-150.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Display: Navstar 2-01 1989-013A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Trajectory: Navstar 2-01 1989-013A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-II (Navstar 12)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. ^ "NAVSTAR GPS II-1 - Summary". Space and Tech. Archived from the original on 12 December 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2012.