USA-309
Artist's rendering of GPS-III SV04 in orbit
NamesNavstar 80
GPS-III SV04
Sacagawea
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUSSF
COSPAR ID2020-078A
SATCAT no.46826
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS-III SV04
Spacecraft typeGPS Block III
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass4331 kg
Powerwatts
Start of mission
Launch date5 November 2020, 23:24 UTC
RocketFalcon 9 B1062.1
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-40
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous orbit)
Perigee altitude20,181 km (12,540 mi)
Apogee altitude20,196 km (12,549 mi)
Inclination54.9°
Period718.0 minutes
 

USA-309, also known as GPS-III SV04, NAVSTAR 80 or Sacagawea, is a United States navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the fourth GPS Block III satellite to be launched.[1]

Satellite

SV04 is the fourth GPS Block III satellite to be launched. Launch was pushed back several times due to delays with the earlier satellites.[2]

The spacecraft is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite bus, and weighs in at 4,331 kg (9,548 lb).[3]

Launch

USA-309 was launched by SpaceX on 5th of November 2020 at 23:24 UTC atop Falcon 9 booster B1062.[4] The launch took place from SLC-40 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and placed USA-309 directly into semi-synchronous orbit. About eight minutes after launch, Falcon 9 B1062 successfully landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You.[1]

Orbit

As of 2021, USA-309 was in a 54.9 degree inclination orbit with a perigee of 20,181 kilometers (12,540 mi) and an apogee of 20,198 km (12,550 mi).[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Burghardt, Thomas (5 November 2020). "After month-long stand down, SpaceX launches fourth GPS III launch". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "SMC and SpaceX launch third GPS III satellite". GPS World. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "GPS Block III SV04 | Falcon 9". Everyday Astronaut. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "GPS III SV04 takes flight". 7 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Technical details for satellite NAVSTAR 80 (USA 309)". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
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