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USA-1 (satellite)

American navigation satellite used for GPS

Field	Value
name	USA-1
names_list	Navstar 9
GPS I-9
GPS SVN-9
image_size	300px
mission_type	Navigation
Technology
operator	U.S. Air Force
COSPAR_ID	1984-059A
SATCAT	15039
mission_duration	5 years (planned)
10 years (achieved)
spacecraft	Navstar
spacecraft_type	GPS Block I
manufacturer	Rockwell Space Systems
launch_mass	758 kg
dimensions	5.3 meters of long
power	400 watts
launch_date	13 June 1984, 11:37 UTC
launch_rocket	Atlas E / SGS-2
(Atlas-42E)
launch_site	Vandenberg, SLC-3W
launch_contractor	Convair
General Dynamics
entered_service	19 July 1984
deactivated	20 June 1994
orbit_reference	Geocentric orbit
orbit_regime	Medium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
orbit_periapsis	19917 km
orbit_apoapsis	20446 km
orbit_inclination	62.80°
orbit_period	718.00 minutes
apsis	gee
programme	Global Positioning System
previous_mission	OPS 9794 (Navstar 8)
next_mission	USA-5 (Navstar 10)

GPS I-9 GPS SVN-9

Technology 10 years (achieved)

(Atlas-42E) General Dynamics

(Semi-synchronous)

USA-1, also known as Navstar 9, GPS I-9 and GPS SVN-9, was an American navigation satellite launched in 1984 as part of the Global Positioning System development programme. It was the ninth of eleven Block I GPS satellites to be launched, and the first satellite to receive a USA designation.

Background

Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide all-weather round-the-clock navigation capabilities for military ground, sea, and air forces. Since its implementation, GPS has also become an integral asset in numerous civilian applications and industries around the globe, including recreational used (e.g., boating, aircraft, hiking), corporate vehicle fleet tracking, and surveying. GPS employs 24 spacecraft in 20,200 km circular orbits inclined at 55°. These vehicles are placed in 6 orbit planes with four operational satellites in each plane.

Spacecraft

The first eleven spacecraft (GPS Block 1) were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the GPS system. They were 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing using reaction wheels. Dual solar arrays supplied over 400 watts. They had S-band communications for control and telemetry and Ultra high frequency (UHF) cross-link between spacecraft. They were manufactured by Rockwell Space Systems, were 5.3 meters across with solar panels deployed, and had a design life expectancy of 5 years. Unlike the later operational satellites, GPS Block 1 spacecraft were inclined at 63°.

Launch

USA-1 was launched at 11:37 UTC on 13 June 1984, atop an Atlas E launch vehicle with an SGS-2 upper stage. The Atlas used had the serial number 42E, and was originally built as an Atlas E. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 3W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and placed USA-1 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit (MEO) using a Star-27 apogee motor.

Mission

By 19 July 1984, USA-1 had been raised to an orbit with a perigee of 19917 km, an apogee of 20446 km, a period of 718.00 minutes, and 62.80° of inclination to the equator. The satellite had a design life of 5 years and a mass of 758 kg. It broadcast the PRN 13 signal in the GPS demonstration constellation, and was retired from service on 20 June 1994.

References

(14 May 2020). "Trajectory: Navstar 9 1984-059A". NASA.
(14 May 2020). "Navstar 9 1984-059A". NASA.
McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report.
McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Jonathan's Space Report.
Krebs, Gunter. "GPS (Navstar)". Gunter's Space Page.
McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page.

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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