USA-83, also known as GPS IIA-5, GPS II-14 and GPS SVN-26, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the fifth of nineteen Block IIA GPS satellites to be launched.

USA-83
NamesNavstar 2A-05
GPS IIA-5
GPS II-14
GPS SVN-26
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorU.S. Air Force
COSPAR ID1992-039A [1]
SATCAT no.22014
Mission duration7.5 years (planned)
22.4 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGPS IIA
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIA[2]
ManufacturerRockwell International
Launch mass840 kg (1,850 lb)
Dimensions5.3 m (17 ft) of long
Power710 watts
Start of mission
Launch date7 July 1992, 09:20:01 UTC
RocketDelta II 7925-9.5
(Delta D211)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-17B
ContractorMcDonnell Douglas
Entered service6 August 1992
End of mission
Deactivated6 January 2015
Last contact5 January 2015
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[3]
RegimeMedium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
SlotF2 (slot 2 plane F)
Perigee altitude19,959 km (12,402 mi)
Apogee altitude20,464 km (12,716 mi)
Inclination55.0°
Period717.92 minutes
← USA-80 (GPS IIA-4)
USA-84 (GPS IIA-6) →

Background

edit

Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide all-weather round-the-clock navigation capabilities for military ground, sea, and air forces. Since its implementation, GPS has also become an integral asset in numerous civilian applications and industries around the globe, including recreational used (e.g., boating, aircraft, hiking), corporate vehicle fleet tracking, and surveying. GPS employs 24 spacecraft in 20,200 km circular orbits inclined at 55.0°. These vehicles are placed in 6 orbit planes with four operational satellites in each plane.[1]

GPS Block 2 was the operational system, following the demonstration system composed of Block 1 (Navstar 1 - 11) spacecraft. These spacecraft were 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing using reaction wheels. Dual solar arrays supplied 710 watts of power. They used S-band (SGLS) communications for control and telemetry and Ultra high frequency (UHF) cross-link between spacecraft. The payload consisted of two L-band navigation signals at 1575.42 MHz (L1) and 1227.60 MHz (L2). Each spacecraft carried 2 rubidium and 2 Cesium clocks and nuclear detonation detection sensors. Built by Rockwell Space Systems for the U.S. Air force, the spacecraft measured 5.3 m across with solar panels deployed and had a design life of 7.5 years.[1]

Launch

edit

USA-83 was launched at 09:20:01 UTC on 7 July 1992, atop a Delta II launch vehicle, flight number D211, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[4] The launch took place from Launch Complex 17B (LC-17B) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS),[5] and placed USA-83 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[2]

Mission

edit

On 6 August 1992, USA-83 was in an orbit with a perigee of 19,959 km (12,402 mi), an apogee of 20,464 km (12,716 mi), a period of 717.92 minutes, and 55.0° of inclination to the equator.[3] It has PRN 26, and operates in slot 2 of plane F of the GPS constellation.[6] The satellite has a mass of 840 kg (1,850 lb). It had a design life of 7.5 years;[2] however, it actually remained in service until 5 January 2015.[7]

It was retired [8] and resides in a disposal orbit at approximately 1000 km above the operational constellation.[9]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Display: Navstar 2A-05 1992-039A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2A (Navstar-2A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Trajectory: Navstar 2A-05 1992-039A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 11 November 2002. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. ^ "NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2015005". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 18 December 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ "GPSWorld.com". GPS World. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  9. ^ "N2YO.com". N2YO. Retrieved 31 October 2015.