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USA-256

USA-256
Navstar-2F.jpg
A Block IIF GPS satellite
Mission type Navigation
Operator US Air Force
COSPAR ID 2014-045A
SATCAT № 40105
Mission duration 12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft GPS SVN-68 (IIF-7)
Spacecraft type GPS Block IIF
Manufacturer Boeing
Launch mass 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date 2 August 2014, 03:23 (2014-08-02UTC03:23Z) UTC
Rocket Atlas V 401, AV-048
Launch site Cape Canaveral SLC-41
Contractor ULA
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Medium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
Perigee 20,341 km (12,639 mi)
Apogee 20,469 km (12,719 mi)
Inclination 55.02 degrees
Period 727.05 minutes
Epoch 2 August 2014

USA-256, also known as GPS IIF-7, GPS SVN-68 and NAVSTAR 71, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the seventh of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-256 was launched at 03:23 UTC on 2 August 2014, atop a Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-048. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and placed USA-256 directly into medium Earth orbit.

As of 3 August 2014, USA-256 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,341 kilometers (12,639 mi), an apogee of 20,469 kilometers (12,719 mi), a period of 727.05 minutes, and 55.02 degrees of inclination to the equator. It is used to broadcast the PRN 09 signal, and operates in slot 6 of plane F of the GPS constellation. The satellite has a design life of 15 years and a mass of 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb). It is currently in service following commissioning on September 17, 2014.


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