USA-35 explained

USA-35
Names List:Navstar 2-01
GPS II-1
GPS SVN-14
Mission Type:Navigation
Operator:U.S. Air Force
Cospar Id:1989-013A
Satcat:19802
Mission Duration:7.5 years (planned)
11 years (achieved)
Spacecraft:GPS II
Spacecraft Type:GPS Block II
Manufacturer:Rockwell International
Dimensions:5.3 m (17 ft) of long
Power:710 watts
Launch Date:14 February 1989, 18:30 UTC
Launch Rocket:Delta II 6925-9.5
(Delta D184)
Launch Site:Cape Canaveral, LC-17A
Launch Contractor:McDonnell Douglas
Entered Service:16 March 1989
Last Contact:26 March 2000
Deactivated:14 April 2000
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit[1]
Orbit Regime:Medium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
Orbit Slot:E1 (slot 1 plane E)
Orbit Inclination:55.1°
Orbit Period:713.2 minutes
Apsis:gee
Programme:Global Positioning System
Previous Mission:USA-10 (Navstar 11)
Next Mission:USA-38 (GPS II-2)

USA-35, also known as Navstar 2-01, GPS II-1 and GPS SVN-14, was an American navigation satellite which formed part of the Global Positioning System. It was the first of nine Block II GPS satellites to be launched, which were the first operational GPS satellites to be launched.

Background

It was one of the 21-satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II series. When complete, the constellation will provide precise position data (accurate to within 16 m) to military and civilian users worldwide. Navstar signals can be received on devices as small as a telephone. The new generation Delta is 4.2 m taller and 13% more powerful than its predecessor. It can boost 3,982 kg into low Earth orbit, 1,447 kg into geotransfer orbit. The GPS II satellites, built by Rockwell International for Air Force Space Systems Division, each have a 7.5-year design life. The Air Force intends to launch a GPS II every 2 to 3 months until the constellation of 21 operational satellites and 3 spares is aloft.

Launch

USA-35 was launched at 18:30 UTC on 14 February 1989, atop a Delta II launch vehicle, flight number D184, flying in the 6925-9.5 configuration.[2] This was the maiden flight of the Delta II. The launch took place from Launch Complex 17A (LC-17A) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS),[3] and placed USA-35 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37XFP apogee motor.[4]

Mission

On 16 March 1989, USA-35 was in an orbit with a perigee of, an apogee of, a period of 713.2 minutes, and 55.1° of inclination to the equator.[5] The satellite had a mass of, and generated 710 watts of power.[6] It had a design life of 7.5 years;[4] however, it operated until 26 March 2000, when its reaction wheels failed. It was decommissioned on 14 April 2000, having been replaced by USA-150.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trajectory: Navstar 2-01 1989-013A . NASA. 14 May 2020. 20 November 2020.
  2. Web site: Launch Log. Jonathan's Space Report. Jonathan. McDowell. 10 July 2012.
  3. Web site: Launch List. Jonathan's Space Report. Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan. McDowell. 10 July 2012. 15 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815040340/http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/list2.html. dead.
  4. Web site: GPS-II (Navstar 12). Gunter. Krebs. Gunter's Space Page. 10 July 2012.
  5. Web site: Satellite Catalog. Jonathan's Space Report. Jonathan. McDowell. 10 July 2012.
  6. Web site: Display: Navstar 2-01 1989-013A. NASA. 14 May 2020. 20 November 2020.
  7. Web site: NAVSTAR GPS II-1 - Summary. Space and Tech. 10 July 2012. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111212055828/http://www.spaceandtech.com/spacedata/logs/1989/1989-013a_gps-2-1_sumpub.shtml. 12 December 2011.