# GPS SVN 11

> American GPS navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7865646](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865646)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-10)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gps-svn-11

## Summary  
GPS SVN 11 (also known as USA‑10, Navstar 11, GPS 11, GPS I‑11, GPS 1‑11) is an American NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation satellite. It was launched on 9 October 1985 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West aboard an Atlas E/F launch vehicle and is operated by the United States Air Force.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 9 October 1985 at 02:53 UTC.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Atlas E/F (flight 55E).  
- **Launch site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West, California, USA.  
- **Operator:** United States Air Force.  
- **Manufacturer:** Rockwell International.  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID:** 1985‑093A.  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 16129.  
- **Satellite class:** GPS satellite (NAVSTAR GPS).  
- **Predecessor:** GPS SVN 10.  
- **Successor:** GPS SVN 14.  
- **Alternative names/aliases:** Navstar 11, GPS 11, GPS I‑11, GPS 1‑11, USA‑10, Navstar GPS SVN 11.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is GPS SVN 11?  
A: GPS SVN 11 is a United States‑built NAVSTAR GPS navigation satellite, part of the first generation of GPS satellites that provide worldwide positioning, navigation, and timing services.  

### Q: When and how was GPS SVN 11 launched?  
A: It was launched on 9 October 1985 at 02:53 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West using an Atlas E/F launch vehicle (flight 55E).  

### Q: Who operates and built GPS SVN 11?  
A: The satellite is operated by the United States Air Force and was manufactured by Rockwell International.  

### Q: What satellite does GPS SVN 11 replace and which one follows it?  
A: GPS SVN 11 follows GPS SVN 10 and is succeeded by GPS SVN 14 in the NAVSTAR constellation.  

### Q: What is the significance of the designation “USA‑10”?  
A: “USA‑10” is the United States military designation for GPS SVN 11, reflecting its status as the tenth satellite launched under the United States’ “USA” series of classified space assets.  

## Why It Matters  
GPS SVN 11 is a cornerstone of the original NAVSTAR GPS constellation, a system that transformed global navigation, telecommunications, and timing. As one of the early Block I satellites, it helped validate the concept of a space‑based positioning network that could deliver centimeter‑level accuracy to civilian and military users worldwide. Its successful deployment in 1985 expanded the constellation’s coverage, improving reliability for applications ranging from aviation and maritime navigation to surveying, emergency response, and the synchronization of power grids and financial networks. By contributing to the robustness of the GPS infrastructure, GPS SVN 11 played a direct role in enabling the modern, location‑aware world we depend on today.  

## Notable For  
- First‑generation NAVSTAR GPS satellite built by Rockwell International.  
- Launched on an Atlas E/F (55E), one of the last uses of the Atlas E/F family for GPS missions.  
- Carries the military designation USA‑10, marking its inclusion in the early “USA” series of classified satellites.  
- Part of the critical early expansion of the GPS constellation that established global, continuous positioning capability.  
- Holds the Spacecraft Number (SCN) 16129, a unique identifier within the U.S. space inventory.  

## Body  

### Overview  
GPS SVN 11 (Navstar 11) is a satellite in the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, a constellation of 24+ satellites that provide continuous, worldwide positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. It belongs to the Block I series, the prototype batch that demonstrated the feasibility of the GPS concept.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 9 October 1985, 02:53 UTC.  
- **Vehicle:** Atlas E/F launch vehicle, flight designation 55E.  
- **Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 West (VAFB, California).  
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch successfully placed the satellite into a medium‑Earth orbit, marking a key milestone in the early deployment of the GPS constellation.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Manufacturer:** Rockwell International.  
- **Operator:** United States Air Force.  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID:** 1985‑093A.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 16129.  
- **Class:** GPS satellite (NAVSTAR).  

### Operational Role  
- **Predecessor:** GPS SVN 10, which it replaced in the orbital slot.  
- **Successor:** GPS SVN 14, launched later to maintain constellation geometry.  
- **Function:** Transmits L‑band navigation signals that enable receivers on Earth to calculate precise position, velocity, and time.  

### Legacy and Impact  
GPS SVN 11 contributed to the early validation of the GPS system’s architecture, helping to establish the reliability and redundancy required for global coverage. Its deployment supported the transition of GPS from a military‑only capability to a dual‑use service, paving the way for the widespread civilian applications that dominate today’s technology landscape.

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "GPS SVN 11",
  "description": "American NAVSTAR GPS navigation satellite launched on 9 October 1985, also known as USA-10.",
  "sameAs": [
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  ],
  "additionalType": "GPS satellite"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report