USA-293
{{short description|GPS III satellite}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = USA-293
| names_list = Navstar 78
GPS-III SV02
Magellan
| image = GPS_Block_IIIA.jpg
| image_caption = Artist's rendering of GPS-III SV02 in orbit.
| image_size = 290px
| mission_type = Navigation
| operator = USAF
| COSPAR_ID = 2019-056A
| SATCAT = 44506
| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
| spacecraft = GPS-III SV02
| spacecraft_type = GPS Block III
| manufacturer = Lockheed Martin
| launch_mass = 3680 kg
| dimensions =
| power = watts
| launch_date = 22 August 2019, 13:06 UTC
| launch_rocket = Delta IV Medium (4,2)
| launch_site = Cape Canaveral, SLC-37
| launch_contractor = United Launch Alliance
| entered_service =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Medium Earth orbit
(Semi-synchronous orbit)
| orbit_periapsis = {{cvt|20157|km}}
| orbit_apoapsis = {{cvt|20221|km}}
| orbit_inclination = 55.40°
| orbit_period = 718.0 minutes
| apsis = gee
| insignia =
}}
USA-293, also known as GPS-III SV02 or Magellan, is a United States navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the second GPS Block III satellite to be launched.
Satellite
SV02 is the second GPS Block III satellite to be launched. Ordered in 2008, technical delays to the first satellite in the program, SV01, pushed launch back to 2019.{{Cite web|title=Defense Acquisitions - Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-17-333sp.pdf}}
The spacecraft is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite bus, and weighs {{cvt|3,680|kg}}.{{Cite web|title=GPS-3 (Navstar-3)|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/navstar-3.htm|access-date=2021-03-25|website=Gunter's Space Page|language=en}}
Launch
USA-293 was launched by United Launch Alliance on 22 August 2019 at 13:06 UTC atop a Delta IV Medium.{{Cite web|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GPS III Satellite for U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center|url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news/2019/08/22/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-gps-iii-satellite-for-u.s.-air-force-space-and-missile-systems-center|access-date=2021-03-24|website=www.ulalaunch.com}} The launch was the final flight of the single-core Delta IV.{{Cite web|date=2019-08-22|title=Delta IV Medium's well-earned retirement with GPS finale|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/08/delta-iv-medium-retirement-gps-finale/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=NASASpaceFlight.com|language=en-US}} The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37, and deployed USA-293 directly into a semi-synchronous orbit.
Orbit
As of 2021, USA-293 was in a 55.4 degree inclination orbit with a perigee of {{convert|20,157|km}} and an apogee of {{convert|20,221|km}}.{{Cite web|title=Technical details for satellite NAVSTAR 78 (USA 293)|url=https://www.n2yo.com//satellite/?s=44506|access-date=2021-03-24|website=N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{GPS satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2019}}