USA-150

USA-150, also known as GPS IIR-4 and GPS SVN-51, is an American navigation satellite which forms part of the Global Positioning System. It was the fourth 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 AS-4000 satellite bus.

Launch

USA-150 was launched at 01:48:00 UTC on 11 May 2000, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D278, 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-150 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37FM apogee motor.

Mission

By 11 June 2000, USA-150 was in an orbit with a perigee of, an apogee of, a period of 718.02 minutes, and 54.9° of inclination to the equator. It is used to broadcast the PRN 20 signal, and operates in slot 1 of plane E of the GPS constellation, having replaced USA-35, the first operational GPS satellite. The satellite has a mass of, and a design life of 10 years. Operational from 11 May 2000 to 04 August 2025, decommissioned until reactivated 30 Sep 2025 to 08 Jan 2026.