| Auto: | all |
| USA-256 | |
| Mission Type: | Navigation |
| Operator: | US Air Force |
| Cospar Id: | 2014-045A[1] |
| Satcat: | 40105 |
| Mission Duration: | 12 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft: | GPS SVN-68 (IIF-7) |
| Spacecraft Type: | GPS Block IIF |
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Launch Date: | UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | AV-048 |
| Launch Site: | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 |
| Launch Contractor: | ULA |
| Orbit Epoch: | 2 August 2014 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous) |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 20469km (12,719miles) |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 20341km (12,639miles) |
| Orbit Inclination: | 55.02 degrees |
| Orbit Period: | 727.05 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
USA-256, also known as GPS IIF-7, GPS SVN-68 and NAVSTAR 71, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the seventh of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.
Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-256 was launched at 03:23 UTC on 2 August 2014, atop an Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-048.[2] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[3] and placed USA-256 directly into medium Earth orbit.
As of 3 August 2014, USA-256 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20341km (12,639miles), an apogee of 20469km (12,719miles), a period of 727.05 minutes, and 55.02 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 09 signal, and operates in slot 6 of plane F of the GPS constellation. The satellite has a design life of 12 years and a mass of .[5] It is currently in service following commissioning on September 17, 2014.[6]