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GPS Block 2R
Part of AS 4000
GPS Block 2R
GPS Block 2R
Credit: USAF
American navigation satellite.

AKA: AS 4000;Global Positioning System;Navstar. Status: Operational 1997. First Launch: 1997-01-17. Last Launch: 2009-08-17. Number: 21 . Gross mass: 2,032 kg (4,479 lb). Height: 1.91 m (6.26 ft). Span: 11.40 m (37.40 ft).

The GPS IIR contract was issued in 1989 and included 21 satellites based on the commercial AS-4000 bus. These provided improved navigation accuracy and longer autonomous satellite operation than earlier model GPS satellites. Lockheed was responsible for launch and flight operations support of the GPS IIR through 2006.

Block IIR satellites provided dramatic improvements over previous blocks. They could determine their own position by performing inter-satellite ranging with other IIR vehicles. They also had reprogrammable satellite processors enabling problem fixes and upgrades in flight, increased satellite autonomy, and radiation hardness.

Additionally, the Block IIR could be launched into any of the required GPS orbits at any time, assuming a 60-day advanced notice, and required many fewer ground contacts to maintain the constellation. All of these improvements result in increased accuracy for GPS users and a cost 33 percent less per satellite than the previous generation of Block IIA satellites. Up to 12 Block IIR satellites were to be modified to radiate the new military M-code on both the L1 and L2 channel as well as the more robust civil signal L2C on the L2 channel. The M-code signal was to enable GPS operations in a higher jamming environment and reduce vulnerability of military GPS-based systems. The first modified Block IIR (or IIR-M) was planned for launch in July 2003.

The satellites were three-axis stabilized and operated at downlink frequencies of 1572.42 MHz and 1227.6 MHz (L-Band) and 2227.5 MHz (S-Band).

Electric System: 1.14 average kW.



Family: Medium earth orbit, Navigation. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Thor, Delta, Delta 2 7000, Delta 7925, Delta 7925-9.5. Projects: Navstar. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC17B, Cape Canaveral LC17A. Stages: Star 37. Agency: USAF, Astro Space. Bibliography: 2, 296, 4, 552, 554, 12515, 12516.
Photo Gallery

USA 145USA 145
Credit: Manufacturer Image



1997 January 17 - . 16:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925. FAILURE: T+12 sec GEM strap-on number 2 structural failure.. Failed Stage: 0.
1997 July 23 - . 03:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925.
1999 October 7 - . 12:51 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2000 May 11 - . 01:48 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2000 July 16 - . 09:17 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2000 November 10 - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2001 January 30 - . 07:55 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2003 January 29 - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2003 March 31 - . 22:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2003 December 21 - . 08:05 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2004 March 20 - . 17:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2004 June 23 - . 22:54 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2004 November 6 - . 05:39 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2005 September 26 - . 03:37 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2006 September 25 - . 18:50 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2006 November 17 - . 19:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2007 October 17 - . 12:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2007 December 20 - . 20:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2008 March 15 - . 06:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2009 March 24 - . 08:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.
2009 August 17 - . 10:35 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7925-9.5.

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