OPS 5112, also known as Navstar 2, NDS-2, GPS I-2 and GPS SVN-2, was an American navigation satellite launched in 1978 as part of the Global Positioning System development programme. It was the second of eleven Block I GPS satellites to be launched.[2]
Background
Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide all-weather round-the-clock navigation capabilities for military ground, sea, and air forces. Since its implementation, GPS has also become an integral asset in numerous civilian applications and industries around the globe, including recreational used (e.g., boating, aircraft, hiking), corporate vehicle fleet tracking, and surveying. GPS employs 24 spacecraft in 20,200 km circular orbits inclined at 55°. These vehicles are placed in 6 orbit planes with four operational satellites in each plane.[1]
Spacecraft
The first eleven spacecraft (GPS Block 1) were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the GPS system. They were 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing using reaction wheels. Dual solar arrays supplied over 400 W. They had S-band (SGLS) communications for control and telemetry and UHF cross-link between spacecraft. They were manufactured by Rockwell Space Systems, were 5.3 m across with solar panels deployed, and had a design life expectancy of 5 years. Unlike the later operational satellites, GPS Block 1 spacecraft were inclined at 63°.[1]
By 14 July 1978, OPS 5112 was in an orbit with a perigee of 19,952 km (12,398 mi), an apogee of 20,084 km (12,480 mi), a period of 711.30 minutes, and 63.10° of inclination to the equator.[6] The satellite had a design life of 5 years and a mass of 758 kg (1,671 lb).[2] It broadcast the PRN 07 signal in the GPS demonstration constellation, and was retired from service on 16 July 1981.
^McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Launch Vehicle Database. Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
^McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
Payloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( | ). Crewed flights are indicated in underline. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in (brackets).