USA-343
 Artist's rendering of GPS-III SV06 in orbit | |
| Names | Navstar 82 GPS-III SV06 Amelia Earhart |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Navigation |
| Operator | USSF |
| COSPAR ID | 2023-009A |
| SATCAT no. | 55268 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GPS-III SV06 |
| Spacecraft type | GPS Block III |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch mass | 4352 kg |
| Power | watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 18 January 2023, 12:24 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 B1077.2 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-40 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Medium Earth orbit (Semi-synchronous orbit) |
| Perigee altitude | 20,178 km (12,538 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 20,200 km (12,600 mi) |
| Inclination | 55.1° |
| Period | 718.0 minutes |
USA-343, also known as GPS-III SV06, NAVSTAR 82 or Amelia Earhart, is a United States navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the sixth GPS Block III satellite to be launched.[1]
Satellite[edit]
SV06 is the sixth GPS Block III satellite. It was declared operational on 31 January 2023.[2]
The spacecraft is built on the Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite bus, and weighs approximately 4,352 kg (9,595 lb).[1]
Launch[edit]
USA-343 was launched by SpaceX on 18 January 2023 at 12:24 UTC, atop Falcon 9 booster B1077.
The launch took place from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and placed USA-343 directly into semi-synchronous orbit. About eight minutes after launch, Falcon 9 successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas.[1]
Orbit[edit]
As of 2023, USA-343 was in a 55.1 degree inclination orbit with a perigee of 20,178 kilometers (12,538 mi) and an apogee of 20,200 km (12,600 mi).[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Rosenstein, Sawyer (18 January 2023). "SpaceX launches sixth next-generation GPS satellite". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "GPS III SV06 receives Operational Acceptance". GPS World. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Technical details for satellite NAVSTAR 82 (USA 343)". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 19 June 2023.