# USA-126

> American navigation satellite used for GPS

**Wikidata**: [Q7865649](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865649)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-126)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-126

## Summary  
USA‑126 is an American NAVSTAR GPS navigation satellite launched on 16 July 1996. Operated by the United States Air Force and built by Rockwell International, it was placed into orbit aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 17.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 16 July 1996【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Delta II rocket【source】  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17【source】  
- **Operator:** United States Air Force【source】  
- **Manufacturer:** Rockwell International【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996‑041A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23953【source】  
- **Instance of:** GPS (NAVSTAR) satellite【source】  
- **Aliases:** Navstar 2A‑17, Navstar 38【source】  
- **Country of origin:** United States【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is USA‑126?  
A: USA‑126 is a United States‑owned navigation satellite that forms part of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation, providing positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide.  

### Q: When and how was USA‑126 launched?  
A: It was launched on 16 July 1996 aboard a Delta II launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.  

### Q: Who operates USA‑126 and what is its purpose?  
A: The United States Air Force operates USA‑126, and its purpose is to transmit GPS signals that enable civilian and military users to determine precise location and time.  

### Q: What are the other names for USA‑126?  
A: The satellite is also known as Navstar 2A‑17 and Navstar 38.  

### Q: Which company built USA‑126?  
A: Rockwell International was the manufacturer of USA‑126.  

## Why It Matters  
USA‑126 is a critical component of the NAVSTAR GPS system, a global infrastructure that underpins modern navigation, telecommunications, and timing services. By delivering reliable positioning data, the satellite supports a wide range of civilian applications—from smartphone navigation and fleet tracking to precision agriculture—and essential military operations that require accurate geolocation. Launched during the mid‑1990s, USA‑126 contributed to the expansion and redundancy of the GPS constellation, enhancing signal availability and resilience against interference or satellite failure. Its deployment on the proven Delta II launch vehicle demonstrated the reliability of U.S. launch capabilities, while its construction by Rockwell International reflected the collaboration between government and industry in maintaining strategic space assets. The continued operation of satellites like USA‑126 ensures that the GPS network remains a cornerstone of global infrastructure, enabling everyday technologies and critical services that modern societies depend upon.  

## Notable For  
- First‑generation NAVSTAR GPS satellite launched on a Delta II rocket.  
- Built by Rockwell International, a key aerospace contractor for early GPS hardware.  
- Carries the catalog number 23953 and COSPAR ID 1996‑041A, uniquely identifying it in space‑track databases.  
- Operated by the United States Air Force, highlighting its strategic military importance.  
- Known by multiple designations (Navstar 2A‑17, Navstar 38), reflecting its place within the broader GPS block architecture.  

## Body  

### Overview  
USA‑126 is a NAVSTAR GPS satellite, part of the United States’ Global Positioning System. It transmits L‑band signals that enable users worldwide to calculate precise three‑dimensional positions and synchronized time.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 16 July 1996.  
- **Vehicle:** Delta II, a retired expendable launch system from the Delta family.  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, a historic launch pad used for many GPS deployments.  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch at the specified time and location, recorded in launch logs.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996‑041A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 23953 (SCN).  
- **Manufacturer:** Rockwell International, responsible for the satellite bus and payload.  
- **Operator:** United States Air Force, which controls the satellite’s mission and health.  
- **Aliases:** Navstar 2A‑17, Navstar 38, reflecting its block and slot within the GPS constellation.  

### Operational Role  
USA‑126 contributes to the constellation’s geometry, ensuring sufficient satellite visibility for users at any location on Earth. Its signals support:  

- Civilian navigation (e.g., smartphones, vehicle navigation).  
- Military positioning and timing.  
- Scientific and surveying applications requiring high‑precision geolocation.  

### Related Systems  
- **GPS satellite class:** USA‑126 belongs to the broader class of GPS satellites that collectively provide the NAVSTAR service.  
- **Delta II launch system:** The launch vehicle used for many GPS satellites, retired after a successful service life.  

### Legacy and Current Status  
While specific de‑orbit or retirement dates are not listed, satellites of this generation typically operate for 5–10 years before being replaced by newer blocks. USA‑126’s contribution to the early robustness of the GPS network helped establish the reliability that modern navigation services depend upon.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report