USA-50
NamesNavstar 2-06
GPS II-6
GPS SVN-18
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorU.S. Air Force
COSPAR ID1990-008A
SATCAT no.20452
Mission duration7.5 years (planned)
10.5 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS II
Spacecraft typeGPS Block II[1]
ManufacturerRockwell International
Launch mass840 kg (1,850 lb) [2]
Dimensions5.3 m (17 ft) of long
Power710 watts
Start of mission
Launch date24 January 1990, 22:55:01 UTC
RocketDelta II 6925-9.5
(Delta D191) [3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-17A
ContractorMcDonnell Douglas
Entered serviceFebruary 1990
End of mission
Deactivated18 August 2000
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[4]
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
Slot?
Perigee altitude20,087 km (12,481 mi)
Apogee altitude20,275 km (12,598 mi)
Inclination54.6°
Period717.92 minutes
 

USA-50, also known as GPS II-6 and GPS SVN-18, was an American navigation satellite which formed part of the Global Positioning System. It was the sixth of nine Block II GPS satellites to be launched, which were the first operational GPS satellites to fly.

Background

It was part of the 21-satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II series that provides precise position data (accurate to within 16 m) to military and civilian users worldwide. Its signals could be received on devices as small as a telephone. The GPS II satellites, built by Rockwell International for the 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 satellite and 3 spares is aloft. The GPS Block II join 7 operational Block 1 satellites.[2]

Launch

USA-50 was launched at 22:55:01 UTC on 24 January 1990, atop a Delta II launch vehicle, flight number D191, flying in the 6925-9.5 configuration.[3] The launch took place from Launch Complex 17A (LC-17A) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS),[5] and placed USA-50 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[1]

Mission

On 25 February 1990, USA-50 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,087 km (12,481 mi), an apogee of 20,275 km (12,598 mi), a period of 717.92 minutes, and 54.6° of inclination to the equator.[4] The satellite had a mass of 840 kg (1,850 lb), and generated 710 watts of power.[2] It had a design life of 7.5 years,[1] and was retired from service on 18 August 2000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2 (Navstar-2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Display: Navstar 2-06 1990-008A". US National Space Science Data Center. NASA. Retrieved 10 July 2012. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  4. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  5. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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