# USA-50

> American navigation satellite used for GPS

**Wikidata**: [Q7865698](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865698)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-50)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-50

## Summary
USA-50 is an American navigation satellite used for the Global Positioning System (GPS). Launched on January 24, 1990, it is part of the NAVSTAR GPS constellation and is operated by the United States Air Force. The satellite was manufactured by Rockwell International and launched from Cape Canaveral.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** GPS Satellite (American navigation satellite).
- **Launch Date:** January 24, 1990.
- **Operator:** United States Air Force.
- **Manufacturer:** Rockwell International.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (retired expendable launch system).
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990-008A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20452.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.

## FAQs
### Q: What is USA-50?
A: USA-50 is an American navigation satellite utilized by the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS). It functions as part of the broader satellite network operated by the United States Air Force.

### Q: When and how was USA-50 launched?
A: USA-50 was launched on January 24, 1990, aboard a Delta II rocket. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates USA-50?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Rockwell International and is operated by the United States Air Force.

## Why It Matters
USA-50 represents a critical component of the United States' space-based navigation infrastructure during the early 1990s. As a dedicated GPS satellite within the NAVSTAR system, it contributed to the global coverage necessary for precise positioning, navigation, and timing services. These services are essential for both military operations and civilian applications, ranging from aviation safety to personal navigation devices. The satellite's deployment via the Delta II rocket system underscores the reliance on expendable launch systems during that era to build out the GPS constellation. By maintaining this network, satellites like USA-50 allow users worldwide to determine their location and time with high accuracy, facilitating global logistics, communication, and defense capabilities.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated unit within the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System.
- Utilizing the Delta II launch vehicle, a prominent retired expendable launch system.
- Manufacturing by Rockwell International, a major aerospace contractor.
- Launching from the historic Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
USA-50 is classified as a GPS satellite, operating as an American navigation satellite within the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System. It is identified in international catalogs under the COSPAR ID 1990-008A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20452. The satellite falls under the operational jurisdiction of the United States Air Force.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on January 24, 1990. The mission utilized a Delta II rocket, a retired expendable launch system known for its reliability in deploying navigation and communication satellites. The launch originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, a site frequently used for GPS deployment missions.

### Manufacturing and Development
USA-50 was manufactured by Rockwell International, a prominent American manufacturing conglomerate involved in aerospace and defense. The development and deployment were managed to support the expanding needs of the U.S. GPS infrastructure.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report