USA-266

USA-266, also known as GPS IIF-12, GPS SVN-70 and NAVSTAR 76, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the twelfth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.^[2]

USA-266

A Block IIF GPS satellite
Names	GPS IIF-12 GPS SVN-70 NAVSTAR 76
Mission type	Navigation
Operator	US Air Force
COSPAR ID	2016-007A [1]
SATCAT no.	41328
Mission duration	12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	GPS SVN-70 (IIF-12)
Spacecraft type	GPS Block IIF
Manufacturer	Boeing
Launch mass	1,630 kg (3,590 lb) [2]
Start of mission
Launch date	5 February 2016, 13:38 UTC
Rocket	Atlas V 401 (AV-057) [3]
Launch site	CCAFS, SLC-41
Contractor	ULA
Entered service	9 March 2016
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Medium Earth orbit (Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude	20,196 km (12,549 mi)
Apogee altitude	20,181 km (12,540 mi)
Inclination	55.01°
Period	717.9 minutes

Launch

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA), USA-266 was launched at 13:38 UTC on 5 February 2016, atop an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, vehicle number AV-057.^[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,^[4] and placed USA-266 directly into semi-synchronous orbit.^[5]

Orbit

As of March 2016, USA-266 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,181 km (12,540 mi), an apogee of 20,196 km (12,549 mi), a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55.01° of inclination to the equator.^[5] It is used to broadcast the PRN 32 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane F of the GPS constellation.^[6] The satellite has a design life of 12 years and a mass of 1,630 kg (3,590 lb).^[2] It is currently in service following commissioning on 9 March 2016.^[7]

References

• Spaceflight portal

1. "Navstar 76". NASA. Retrieved 13 March 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
4. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
5. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
6. "GPS Constellation Status". US Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved 8 April 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
7. "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2016022". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 13 March 2016.