USA-126
 A Block IIA GPS satellite |
|
| Operator | US Air Force |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Rockwell[1] |
| Bus | GPS Block IIA[1] |
| Mission type | Navigation |
| Launch date | 16 July 1996, 00:50:00 UTC |
| Carrier rocket | Delta II 7925-9.5 D237[2] |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-17A[2] |
| Mission duration | 7.5 years (planned)[1] |
| COSPAR ID | 1996-041A[3] |
| SATCAT | 23953[3] |
| Mass | 1,816 kilograms (4,000 lb)[1] |
| Orbital elements | |
| Regime | Semisynchronous medium Earth |
| Inclination | 55°[4] |
| Apoapsis | 20,227 kilometres (12,568 mi)[4] |
| Periapsis | 20,134 kilometres (12,511 mi)[4] |
| Orbital period | 717.9 minutes[4] |
USA-126, also known as GPS IIA-17, GPS II-26 and GPS SVN-40, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the seventeenth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.
USA-126 was launched at 00:50:00 UTC on 16 July 1996, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D237, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[2] The launch took place from Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-126 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[1]
On 15 August 1996, USA-126 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,134 kilometres (12,511 mi), an apogee of 20,227 kilometres (12,568 mi), a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It broadcasts the PRN 10 signal, and operates in slot 3 of plane E of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite has a mass of 1,816 kilograms (4,000 lb). It had a design life of 7.5 years,[1] however as of 2012 it remains in service.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2A (Navstar-2A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Navstar 2A-17". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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