NAVSTAR 38 (USA 126) (23953)

COSPAR: 1996-041A | Alt Name: GPS IIA-17

Image
NAVSTAR 38 (USA 126) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 16, 1996

Launch Pad

LC17A

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7925

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23953

International Designator

1996-041A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:57:34 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

56.04°

Right Ascension

46.00°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

109.11°

Period

763.13 min

Mean Motion

1.89 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

NAVSTAR 38 (USA 126)

Alternative Name

GPS IIA-17

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

AFSMC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 23953U 96041A   26184.99831140 -.00000051  00000-0  00000-0 0  9995
2 23953  56.0353  45.9971 0062041 109.1076  70.3421  1.88695543215103

Source: Celestrak

Summary
NAVSTAR 38 (USA 126), also known as GPS IIA-17, is a GPS satellite launched by the United States on July 16, 1996, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 17A using a Delta 7925 launch vehicle. This satellite is part of the GPS IIA series and is configured with a 3-Axis stabilized system for navigation purposes. It has dimensions of 2.4 meters in length, 1.8 meters in diameter, and spans 5.3 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. The dry mass of the satellite is 860 kilograms, which is also its launch mass. The spacecraft carries a payload designated as GPS SVN 40 and utilizes two deployable solar arrays along with batteries for power supply. Its operational lifetime was projected to be about 7.5 years. The manufacturer of NAVSTAR 38 is RWISB (Rockwell International Space Systems Division), and it has been operated by AFSMC (Air Force Space Command).
Physical Characteristics

Length

2.4

Diameter

1.8

Span

5.3

Dry Mass

860

Launch Mass

860

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

5.3576

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

GPS SVN 40

Purpose

Navigation

Mission

Navigation

Manufacturer

RWISB

Life Expectancy

7.5 years

Bus

GPS IIA

Configuration

3-Axis stabilized

Motor

Star 37XFP

Equipment

?

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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