USA-262

USA-262, also known as GPS IIF-10, GPS SVN-72 and NAVSTAR 74, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the tenth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.^[2]

USA-262

A Block IIF GPS satellite
Mission type	Navigation
Operator	US Air Force
COSPAR ID	2015-033A[1]
SATCAT no.	40730[1]
Mission duration	12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	GPS SVN-72 (IIF-10)
Spacecraft type	GPS Block IIF
Manufacturer	Boeing
Launch mass	1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date	15 July 2015, 15:36 (2015-07-15UTC15:36Z) UTC
Rocket	Atlas V 401, AV-055[3]
Launch site	Cape Canaveral SLC-41[3]
Contractor	ULA
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Medium Earth (Semi-synchronous)
Perigee altitude	20,445 km (12,704 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude	20,450 km (12,710 mi)[4]
Inclination	55.00 degrees[4]
Period	728.77 minutes[4]
Epoch	15 July 2015, 21:23:20 UTC

Launch

Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-262 was launched at 15:36 UTC on 15 July 2015, atop an Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-055.^[3] The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,^[5] and placed USA-262 directly into semi-synchronous orbit.^[4]

Orbit

As of 15 July 2015, USA-262 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,445 kilometers (12,704 mi), an apogee of 20,450 kilometers (12,710 mi), a period of 728.77 minutes, and 55.00 degrees of inclination to the equator.^[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 08 signal, and operates in slot 3 of plane C of the GPS constellation. The satellite has a design life of 15 years and a mass of 1,630 kilograms (3,590 lb). ^[2] It is currently in service following commissioning on August 12, 2015.^[6]