Friday, November 21, 2008

NAVSTAR

IOC: 1978
Total Production: 84
Total Program's Cost: USD$7.6 billion

GPS Block II

IOC: 1989
Production: 28
Unitary Cost: USD$48 million

Also Known As
GPS Block IIA

Origin
United States of America

Contractor/s
Boeing

Family Members
GPS Block I
GPS Block IIF
GPS Block III
GPS Block IIR

Description: The GPS satellites developed under the NAVSTAR program allows any properly equipped user to determine precise time, velocity and worldwide latitude, longitude and altitude to within a few meters. Originally was designed to be an accurate guidance and navigation tool for the military services but it has been adopted by civil and commercial customers for transportation, surveying and rescue operations.

The first GPS Block I spacecraft was put into orbit on February 22, 1978. In the past, the GPS constellation spacecrafts fluctuated from 2-18 to 21 but currently the GPS constellation owned by the United States Air Force consists of 27 satellites (24+3 spares). As of 2004, the US Air Force GPS constellation consists of six planes, each one containing at least four satellites operating 24/7. Redundant satellites are being launched as spares to counterbalance attrition.

The Rockwell Collins GPS Block II and Block IIA satellites were an improved model of Block I spacecraft featuring increased storage capacity, anti-spoof capabilities, improved reliability, and reduced error probability. Block II (9 satellites) and Block IIA (19 satellites) were launched between 1989 and 1995.

Specifications
Dimensions: Length 5.3 m, Width 1.5 m

Weights: Max Weight 844 kg (1,861 lb)

Performance: CEP 10 m (33 ft), Orbit 20,200 km (10,907 nm), Service Life 6 yr

News
Lockheed Martin Joins Northrop Grumman Team Competing for GPS OCX Phase B Contract

Raytheon to Design Next GPS Control Segment for Precision Navigation and Timing

Operators

United States of America

Spacecraft

SVN-15 Firebird / Decommissioned

Launch Vehicle: Undisclosed - Space Launch Systems
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Date: Monday, October 01, 1990
Termination Date: March 2007

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Saturday, October 25, 2008

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