| USA-266 | |
| Names List: | GPS IIF-12 GPS SVN-70 NAVSTAR 76 |
| Mission Type: | Navigation |
| Operator: | US Air Force |
| Cospar Id: | 2016-007A [1] |
| Satcat: | 41328 |
| Mission Duration: | 12 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft: | GPS SVN-70 (IIF-12) |
| Spacecraft Type: | GPS Block IIF |
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Launch Date: | 5 February 2016, 13:38 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Atlas V 401 (AV-057) |
| Launch Site: | CCAFS, SLC-41 |
| Launch Contractor: | ULA |
| Entered Service: | 9 March 2016 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Medium Earth orbit (Semi-synchronous) |
| Orbit Inclination: | 55.01° |
| Orbit Period: | 717.9 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
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.
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.[2] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[3] and placed USA-266 directly into semi-synchronous orbit.
As of March 2016, USA-266 was in an orbit with a perigee of, an apogee of, a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55.01° of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 32 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane F of the GPS constellation.[5] The satellite has a design life of 12 years and a mass of .[6] It is currently in service following commissioning on 9 March 2016.[7]