GPS 2F-9 (Navstar 73, USA 260)

Spacecraft nº:

US spacecraft nº:

Launch data: Designation  40534 / 15013A Launch date  25 Mar 2015 - 18:36 UT Launch site  CC, SLC-37B Launch vehicle  Delta-4M+(4,2) Mission  Navigation Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  20467 x 20468 km Eccentricity   Inclination  55.0 ° Period  729.6 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• GPS-2F (Global Positioning System) or Navstar-2F (Navigation System using Timing And Ranging) satellites are the fourth evolution stage of the second generation of the GPS satellites. Improvements included an extended design life of 12 years, faster processors with more memory, and a new civil signal on a third frequency.
• The GPS-2F satellites do not need to carry an apogee kick motor, in contrast to the earlier generations, as the launch vehicles provide direct insertion into the GPS orbit. Originally the Delta-4M version was to be used for the Delta launches, but a mass growth of the satellites required a switch to the more powerful Delta-4M+(4,2) version.
• NAVSTAR 73 (USA 260, GPS 2F-9)is the ninth Block 2F spacecraft in the constellation. The Boeing-built satellites feature improved accuracy, enhanced anti-jamming and longer design lives. GPS 2F-9 will replace the GPS 2A-22 satellite originally launched aboard Delta 222 on August 30, 1993. It previously was decommissioned from active service in 2009, hung around in orbit as a spare, then was set usable again in 2011. The satellite was declared unusable in 2013 and decommissioned a second time. It was tested yet again in 2014.

Mission details:

• GPS flight IIF-9, space vehicle SVN71, nicknamed Deneb, was launched on Mar 25, 2015 by a Delta 4 into a 12-hour-period orbit to join the navigation constellation.

External links:

• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking