Friday, November 21, 2008

NAVSTAR

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

GPS Block I

Production: 11

Origin
United States of America

Program Status:
Decommissioned

Contractor/s
Boeing

Family Members
GPS Block II
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 International GPS Block I space vehicles were launched from 1978 to 1988 totaling 12 satellites. These satellites were intended for testing and to validate the Global Positioning System feasibility.

Specifications
Performance: CEP 10 m (33 ft), Orbit 20,200 km (10,907 nm), Service Life 5 yr

News
Boeing GPS Ground Control System Keeps Navigation Satellites Operational

Oldest GPS Satellite Being Prepared for Disposal

Operators

United States of America / Decommissioned

Image Gallery

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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