USA-151
(Instrumentality)
What is USA-151?
USA-151, also known as GPS IIR-5, GPS SVN-44, and Navstar-48 is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the fifth Block IIR GPS satellite to be launched, out of thirteen in the original configuration, and twenty one overall. It was built by Lockheed Martin, using the satellite bus. USA-151 was launched at 09:17:00 UTC on 16 July 2000, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D279, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and placed USA-151 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37FM apogee motor. By 27 July 2000, USA-151 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20,184 kilometres (12,542 mi), an apogee of 20,426 kilometres (12,692 mi), a period of 722.98 minutes, and 55 degrees of inclination to the equator. It is used to broadcast the PRN 28 signal, and operates in slot 3 of plane B of the GPS constellation, having originally been operated in slot 5. The satellite has a mass of 2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb), and a design life of 10 years. As of 2012 it remains in service.