# USA-196

> American GPS navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7865670](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865670)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-196)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-196

## Summary
USA-196 is an American GPS navigation satellite launched to support the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS). It was deployed on October 17, 2007, by the United States Air Force using a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral. The satellite is part of the GPS Block IIR series, designed to provide global positioning data for military and civilian use.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 17, 2007.
- **Operator**: United States Air Force.
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2007-047A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 32260.
- **Alternate Name**: GPS 2R-17.
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

## FAQs
### Q: When was USA-196 launched?
A: USA-196 was launched on October 17, 2007, aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of USA-196?
A: USA-196 is a GPS navigation satellite, providing critical positioning, navigation, and timing services for both military and civilian applications worldwide.

### Q: Who manufactured USA-196?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a key contractor for the U.S. GPS program.

## Why It Matters
USA-196 plays a vital role in the U.S. GPS network, a system essential for modern navigation, logistics, and timing infrastructure. As part of the GPS Block IIR series, it enhanced the accuracy and reliability of the constellation, supporting military operations, aviation, maritime navigation, and everyday technologies like smartphones and vehicle navigation systems. Its successful launch on a Delta II rocket underscored the dependability of U.S. space infrastructure, contributing to global positioning capabilities that underpin economic and security systems worldwide.

## Notable For
- **GPS Block IIR Series**: Part of a modernized group of satellites that improved signal accuracy and extended the lifespan of the GPS constellation.
- **Delta II Launch**: Deployed using the Delta II rocket, a workhorse for NASA and U.S. military satellite launches known for its reliability.
- **Long-Term Operation**: Designed for a 12-year operational lifespan, though many GPS satellites exceed their projected service life.
- **Dual-Use Functionality**: Serves both military and civilian users, reflecting the dual-purpose nature of the GPS system.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: October 17, 2007.
- **Rocket**: Delta II (configuration 7925-9.5).
- **Launch Pad**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- **Mission**: Deployed as part of the U.S. Air Force’s NAVSTAR GPS modernization effort.

### Technical Specifications
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor).
- **Series**: GPS Block IIR (Improved GPS Satellite).
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 32260.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2007-047A.
- **Alternate Designation**: GPS 2R-17.

### Mission
- **Role**: Provides 24/7 global positioning, navigation, and timing signals.
- **Coverage**: Supports both military P(Y) code and civilian L1/L2 signals.
- **Orbit**: Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at approximately 20,200 km altitude.

### Legacy
- **Constellation Contribution**: Joined a network of operational GPS satellites, ensuring continuous global coverage.
- **Launch Heritage**: The Delta II rocket used for USA-196 had a success rate exceeding 95%, reflecting its critical role in U.S. space launches prior to its retirement in 2018.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report