USA-151, also known as GPS IIR-5, GPS SVN-44, and Navstar-48 is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the fifth Block IIR GPS satellite to be launched, out of thirteen in the original configuration, and twenty one overall. It was built by Lockheed Martin, using the AS-4000 satellite bus.[2]

USA-151
A Block IIR GPS satellite
Mission typeNavigation
OperatorUS Air Force
COSPAR ID2000-040A[1]
SATCAT no.26407[1]
Mission duration10 years (planned)[2]
24 years, 4 months, 6 days
(in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGPS Block IIR[2]
BusAS-4000[2]
ManufacturerLockheed Martin[2]
Launch mass2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date16 July 2000, 09:17:00 (2000-07-16UTC09:17Z) UTC
RocketDelta II 7925-9.5, D279[3]
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-17A[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude20,184 kilometres (12,542 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude20,426 kilometres (12,692 mi)[4]
Inclination55 degrees[4]
Period722.98 minutes[4]

USA-151 was launched at 09:17:00 UTC on 16 July 2000, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D279, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and placed USA-151 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37FM apogee motor.[2]

By 27 July 2000, USA-151 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,184 kilometres (12,542 mi), an apogee of 20,426 kilometres (12,692 mi), a period of 722.98 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator.[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 28 signal, and operates in slot 3 of plane B of the GPS constellation, having originally been operated in slot 5.[6] The satellite has a mass of 2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb), and a design life of 10 years.[2]

It was originally retired on 23 June 2021.[7] On 14 Aug 2023, it was reactivated to replace SVN-63.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Navstar 48". US National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Krebs, Gunter. "GPS-2R (Navstar-2R)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  3. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "Navstar". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on November 11, 2002. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  7. ^ "2021 Advisories". Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  8. ^ "CGSIC Bulletin: GPS Constellation Change: SVN-63 - the American Surveyor". 10 August 2023.