USA-256
{{Short description|American navigation satellite used for GPS}}
{{Infobox spaceflight|auto=all
| name = USA-256
| image = Navstar-2F.jpg
| image_caption = A Block IIF GPS satellite
| insignia =
| mission_type = Navigation
| operator = US Air Force
| COSPAR_ID = 2014-045A{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2014-045A|title=Navstar 71|publisher=US National Space Science Data Center|access-date=3 August 2014}}
| mission_duration = 12 years (planned)
| spacecraft = GPS SVN-68 (IIF-7)
| spacecraft_type = GPS Block IIF
| manufacturer = Boeing
| launch_mass = {{convert|1630|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power =
| launch_date = {{start-date|2 August 2014, 03:23|timezone=yes}} UTC
| launch_rocket = {{nowrap|Atlas V 401,}} AV-048
| launch_site = Cape Canaveral SLC-41
| launch_contractor = ULA
| entered_service =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_epoch = 2 August 2014
| orbit_reference = Geocentric
| orbit_regime = Medium Earth
(Semi-synchronous)
| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|20469|km|abbr=on}}
| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|20341|km|abbr=on}}
| orbit_inclination = 55.02 degrees
| orbit_period = 727.05 minutes
| apsis = gee
}}
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.
Launch
Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance, USA-256 was launched at 03:23 UTC on 2 August 2014, atop an Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, vehicle number AV-048.{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|author-link=Jonathan McDowell|access-date=3 August 2014}} The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/list2.html|title=Launch List|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|work=Launch Vehicle Database|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|access-date=3 August 2014|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815040340/http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/list2.html|url-status=dead}} and placed USA-256 directly into medium Earth orbit.
Orbit
As of 3 August 2014, USA-256 was in an orbit with a perigee of {{convert|20341|km|sp=us}}, an apogee of {{convert|20469|km|sp=us}}, a period of 727.05 minutes, and 55.02 degrees of inclination to the equator.{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/satcat.txt|title=Satellite Catalog|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|access-date=3 August 2014}} 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 12 years and a mass of {{convert|1630|kg}}.
{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/navstar-2f.htm|title=GPS-2F (Navstar-2F)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=3 August 2014}} It is currently in service following commissioning on September 17, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2014071|title=NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2014071|publisher=United States Coast Guard|access-date=18 September 2014}}
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References
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{reflist}}
{{GPS satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2014}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2014
Category:Spacecraft launched by Atlas rockets
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