# USA-47

> American navigation satellite used for GPS

**Wikidata**: [Q7865695](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865695)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-47)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-47

## Summary  
USA-47 is an American navigation satellite launched in 1989 as part of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS). Operated by the United States Air Force, it supports global positioning capabilities for military and civilian use. It is also designated as Navstar 16 and was deployed via a Delta II rocket.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: October 21, 1989.  
- **Operator**: United States Air Force.  
- **Manufacturer**: Rockwell International.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1989-085A.  
- **SCN Number**: 20302.  
- **Country**: United States.  
- **Aliases**: Navstar 16.  
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was USA-47 launched?  
A: USA-47 was launched on October 21, 1989.  

### Q: What is the primary purpose of USA-47?  
A: USA-47 is a GPS satellite designed to provide navigation data for military and civilian applications as part of the NAVSTAR system.  

### Q: Who manufactured USA-47?  
A: The satellite was built by Rockwell International.  

## Why It Matters  
USA-47 plays a critical role in the GPS constellation, a system essential for modern navigation, timing, and tracking worldwide. As part of the NAVSTAR network, it contributes to 24/7 global coverage, enabling technologies like vehicle navigation, aviation systems, and military logistics. Its launch in 1989 marked a key step in expanding the GPS infrastructure, which has become indispensable for both civilian and defense operations. The satellite’s deployment via the Delta II rocket also highlights the evolution of U.S. space launch capabilities during the late Cold War era.  

## Notable For  
- **Early GPS Constellation**: Part of the early generation of satellites forming the operational GPS network.  
- **Delta II Launch**: Deployed using the Delta II rocket, a workhorse for U.S. satellite launches in the 1980s–2000s.  
- **U.S. Air Force Operation**: Managed by the U.S. Air Force, underscoring its military significance.  
- **NAVSTAR Designation**: Identified as Navstar 16 within the NAVSTAR GPS system.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: October 21, 1989.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket.  
- **Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Manufacturer**: Rockwell International.  
- **SCN Number**: 20302.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1989-085A.  

### Mission and Operations  
- **Role**: Provides navigation signals as part of the GPS constellation.  
- **Operator**: United States Air Force.  
- **System**: NAVSTAR Global Positioning System.  

### Identifiers  
- **Aliases**: Navstar 16.  
- **Wolfram Code**: Entity["Satellite", "20302"].

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report