# USA-203

> American navigation satellite used for GPS

**Wikidata**: [Q7865677](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865677)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-203)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-203

## Summary
USA-203 is an American GPS navigation satellite (also known as Navstar 63) operated by the United States Air Force. It was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and launched on 2009-03-24 aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

## Key Facts
- USA-203 is an American GPS satellite (instance_of: GPS satellite).
- Alternate name: Navstar 63.
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 34661.
- COSPAR ID: 2009-014A.
- Launch date: 2009-03-24.
- Launch vehicle: Delta II (a retired expendable launch system in the Delta family).
- Launch site / start point: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
- Operator: United States Air Force.
- External identifiers: Freebase ID /m/0k9j4m2; Wolfram language entity code Entity["Satellite", "34661"].
- Representative image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/GPS-IIRM.jpg

## FAQs
### Q: What is USA-203?
A: USA-203 is an American navigation satellite in the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation. It is also referred to as Navstar 63.

### Q: When and where was USA-203 launched?
A: USA-203 was launched on 2009-03-24 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

### Q: Which rocket launched USA-203 and who manufactured it?
A: USA-203 was launched on a Delta II launch vehicle. The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

### Q: Who operates USA-203 and what are its identifiers?
A: USA-203 is operated by the United States Air Force. Identifiers include SCN 34661 and COSPAR ID 2009-014A.

## Why It Matters
USA-203 is part of the NAVSTAR GPS family of satellites, the class of spacecraft that provide global positioning and navigation services. As a Lockheed Martin-built satellite operated by the United States Air Force, USA-203 contributed to maintaining and replenishing the GPS constellation following its 2009 launch. GPS satellites are integral components of the NAVSTAR system; each launched satellite helps sustain the constellation’s coverage and operational capacity. USA-203’s deployment on 24 March 2009 from Cape Canaveral aboard a Delta II vehicle represents one discrete launch event in the ongoing effort to operate and sustain the U.S. GPS infrastructure. Those relying on GPS for positioning, navigation, and timing indirectly depend on satellites such as USA-203 being manufactured, launched, and operated as part of the broader system.

## Notable For
- Known also as Navstar 63, a formal alternate designation.
- Assigned Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 34661 and COSPAR ID 2009-014A.
- Manufactured by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Air Force.
- Launched on 2009-03-24 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- Launched aboard a Delta II, a retired expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family.

## Body
### Overview
- USA-203 is classified as a GPS satellite in the NAVSTAR system.
- The satellite’s common alias is Navstar 63.
- It serves as one unit within the United States’ GPS constellation.

### Identifiers and Cataloging
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 34661.
- COSPAR International Designator: 2009-014A.
- External database identifiers include Freebase ID /m/0k9j4m2 and Wolfram code Entity["Satellite", "34661"].

### Launch and Significant Event
- Significant event: rocket launch.
- Point in time of launch: 2009-03-24.
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- Launch vehicle: Delta II.
- The launch is recorded as the primary mission event for the satellite.

### Manufacturer and Operator
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
- Operator: United States Air Force.
- Country of affiliation: United States.

### Classification and Related Classes
- Instance of: GPS satellite (a satellite used by the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System).
- Launch vehicle class (Delta II) is noted as a retired expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family.

### Media and External Links
- Representative image available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/GPS-IIRM.jpg

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report