USA-266
{{Short description|American navigation satellite used for GPS}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = USA-266
| names_list = GPS IIF-12
GPS SVN-70
NAVSTAR 76
| image = Navstar-2F.jpg
| image_caption = A Block IIF GPS satellite
| image_size = 290px
| mission_type = Navigation
| operator = US Air Force
| COSPAR_ID = 2016-007A {{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2016-007A|title=Navstar 76|publisher=NASA|access-date=13 March 2016}} {{PD-notice}}
| SATCAT = 41328
| mission_duration = 12 years (planned)
| spacecraft = GPS SVN-70 (IIF-12)
| spacecraft_type = GPS Block IIF
| manufacturer = Boeing
| launch_mass = {{cvt|1630|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power =
| launch_date = 5 February 2016, 13:38 UTC
| launch_rocket = Atlas V 401 (AV-057)
| launch_contractor = ULA
| entered_service = 9 March 2016
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Medium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous)
| orbit_apoapsis = {{cvt|20181|km}}
| orbit_periapsis = {{cvt|20196|km}}
| orbit_inclination = 55.01°
| orbit_period = 717.9 minutes
| apsis = gee
}}
USA-266, also known as GPS IIF-12, GPS SVN-70 and NAVSTAR 76, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the twelfth of twelve Block IIF satellites to be launched.
Launch
Built by Boeing and launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA), USA-266 was launched at 13:38 UTC on 5 February 2016, atop an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, vehicle number AV-057.{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|access-date=13 March 2016}} 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=13 March 2016|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-266 directly into semi-synchronous orbit.
Orbit
As of March 2016, USA-266 was in an orbit with a perigee of {{cvt|20181|km}}, an apogee of {{cvt|20196|km}}, a period of 717.9 minutes, and 55.01° 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=13 March 2016}} It is used to broadcast the PRN 32 signal, and operates in slot 5 of plane F of the GPS constellation.{{cite web|title=GPS Constellation Status |url=http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=constellationstatus|publisher=US Department of Homeland Security|access-date=8 April 2016}} {{PD-notice}} The satellite has a design life of 12 years and a mass of {{cvt|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=13 March 2016}} It is currently in service following commissioning on 9 March 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?Do=gpsShowNanu&num=2016022|title=NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2016022|publisher=United States Coast Guard|access-date=13 March 2016}}
References
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{GPS satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2016}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2016
Category:Spacecraft launched by Atlas rockets
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