GPS Satellite Bus
Data current as of 2026-07-20.
The GPS bus accounts for 20 cataloged objects, of which 20 are in orbit and 0 are active. Most are built by RWISB. The largest operator on this bus is AFSMC. The first launched in 1978, the most recent in 1996.
20
In orbit
0
Active
20
Total launched
0
Reentered
GPS launched per year
Still in orbit Click a year to list its satellites.
Typical specifications
Most common values across cataloged GPS satellites.
| Manufacturer | RWISB |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Launch mass | 860 kg |
| Dry mass | 860 kg |
| Length | 2.4 m |
| Diameter | 1.8 m |
| Span | 5.3 m |
| Shape | Box + 2 Pan |
| Power | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
| Propulsion | Star 37XFP |
| Design life | 5 years |
| Equipment | ? |
| Typical orbit | 760 min period, 53° inclination |
Top operators
AFSMC 10 AFSD 6 SAMSO 4
Top countries
US 20
GPS satellites
Track any of them live in KeepTrack.
| Name | NORAD | COSPAR | Owner | Launched | Orbit | Status | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAVSTAR 37 (USA 117) GPS IIA-16 | 23833 | 1996-019A | AFSMC | Mar 28, 1996 | 740 min, 52.8° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 36 (USA 100) GPS IIA-15 | 23027 | 1994-016A | AFSMC | Mar 10, 1994 | 771 min, 53.1° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 35 (USA 96) GPS IIA-14 | 22877 | 1993-068A | AFSMC | Oct 26, 1993 | 764 min, 55.4° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 34 (USA 94) GPS IIA-13 | 22779 | 1993-054A | AFSMC | Aug 30, 1993 | 761 min, 53.3° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 33 (USA 92) GPS IIA-12 | 22700 | 1993-042A | AFSMC | Jun 26, 1993 | 760 min, 54.7° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 32 (USA 91) GPS IIA-11 | 22657 | 1993-032A | AFSMC | May 13, 1993 | 767 min, 53.5° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 31 (USA 90) GPS IIA-10 | 22581 | 1993-017A | AFSMC | Mar 30, 1993 | 762 min, 54.1° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 30 (USA 88) GPS IIA-9 | 22446 | 1993-007A | AFSMC | Feb 3, 1993 | 766 min, 53.3° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 29 (USA 87) GPS IIA-8 | 22275 | 1992-089A | AFSMC | Dec 18, 1992 | 765 min, 55.0° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 28 (USA 85) GPS IIA-7 | 22231 | 1992-079A | AFSMC | Nov 22, 1992 | 761 min, 55.6° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 11 (USA 10) GPS 11 | 16129 | 1985-093A | AFSD | Oct 9, 1985 | 760 min, 63.6° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 10 (USA 5) GPS 10 | 15271 | 1984-097A | AFSD | Sep 8, 1984 | 748 min, 62.1° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 9 (USA 1) GPS 9 | 15039 | 1984-059A | AFSD | Jun 13, 1984 | 749 min, 63.6° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 8 (OPS 9794) GPS 8 | 14189 | 1983-072A | AFSD | Jul 14, 1983 | 751 min, 63.5° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 6 (OPS 5118) Navstar 6 | 11783 | 1980-032A | AFSD | Apr 26, 1980 | 708 min, 61.8° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 5 (OPS 5117) Navstar 5 | 11690 | 1980-011A | AFSD | Feb 9, 1980 | 718 min, 64.8° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 4 (OPS 5114) Navstar 4 | 11141 | 1978-112A | SAMSO | Dec 11, 1978 | 747 min, 63.7° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 3 (OPS 5113) Navstar 3 | 11054 | 1978-093A | SAMSO | Oct 7, 1978 | 744 min, 62.9° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 2 (OPS 5112) Navstar 2 | 10893 | 1978-047A | SAMSO | May 13, 1978 | 714 min, 62.6° | Inactive | ◉ |
| NAVSTAR 1 (OPS 5111) Navstar 1 | 10684 | 1978-020A | SAMSO | Feb 22, 1978 | 727 min, 64.4° | Inactive | ◉ |
Frequently asked questions
How many GPS satellites are there?
The catalog lists 20 objects built on the GPS bus. 20 are in orbit and 0 have reentered.
How many GPS satellites are in orbit?
20 GPS objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.
Who builds the GPS bus?
The GPS bus is most commonly built by RWISB.
When did the first GPS satellite launch?
The first cataloged GPS satellite launched in 1978, and the most recent in 1996.