OPS 5117
American navigation satellite used for GPS
title: "OPS 5117" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["spacecraft-launched-in-1980", "gps-satellites"] description: "American navigation satellite used for GPS" topic_path: "general/spacecraft-launched-in-1980" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OPS_5117" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American navigation satellite used for GPS ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox spaceflight"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | OPS 5117 |
| names_list | Navstar 5 |
| GPS I-5 | |
| GPS SVN-5 | |
| image_size | 290px |
| mission_type | Navigation |
| Technology | |
| operator | US Air Force |
| COSPAR_ID | 1980-011A |
| SATCAT | 11690 |
| mission_duration | 5 years (planned) |
| 3.75 years (achieved) | |
| spacecraft | Navstar |
| spacecraft_type | GPS Block I |
| manufacturer | Rockwell Space Systems |
| launch_mass | 758 kg |
| dimensions | 5.3 meters of long |
| power | 400 watts |
| launch_date | 9 February 1980, 23:08 UTC |
| launch_rocket | Atlas F / SGS-1 |
| (Atlas-35F) | |
| launch_site | Vandenberg, SLC-3E |
| launch_contractor | Convair |
| General Dynamics | |
| entered_service | 27 February 1980 |
| deactivated | 28 November 1983 |
| orbit_reference | Geocentric orbit |
| orbit_regime | Medium Earth orbit |
| (Semi-synchronous) | |
| orbit_periapsis | 20144 km |
| orbit_apoapsis | 20219 km |
| orbit_inclination | 63.2° |
| orbit_period | 717.94 minutes |
| apsis | gee |
| programme | Global Positioning System |
| previous_mission | OPS 5114 (Navstar 4) |
| next_mission | OPS 5118 (Navstar 6) |
| :: |
| name = OPS 5117 | names_list = Navstar 5 GPS I-5 GPS SVN-5 | image = | image_caption = | image_size = 290px
| mission_type = Navigation Technology | operator = US Air Force | COSPAR_ID = 1980-011A | SATCAT = 11690 | mission_duration = 5 years (planned) 3.75 years (achieved)
| spacecraft = Navstar | spacecraft_type = GPS Block I | manufacturer = Rockwell Space Systems | launch_mass = 758 kg | dimensions = 5.3 meters of long | power = 400 watts
| launch_date = 9 February 1980, 23:08 UTC | launch_rocket = Atlas F / SGS-1 (Atlas-35F) | launch_site = Vandenberg, SLC-3E | launch_contractor = Convair General Dynamics
| entered_service = 27 February 1980 | deactivated = 28 November 1983
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit | orbit_regime = Medium Earth orbit (Semi-synchronous) | orbit_slot = | orbit_periapsis = 20144 km | orbit_apoapsis = 20219 km | orbit_inclination = 63.2° | orbit_period = 717.94 minutes | apsis = gee
| programme = Global Positioning System | previous_mission = OPS 5114 (Navstar 4) | next_mission = OPS 5118 (Navstar 6)
OPS 5117, also known as Navstar 5, GPS I-5 and GPS SVN-5, was an American navigation satellite launched in 1980 as part of the Global Positioning System development programme. It was the fifth of eleven Block I GPS satellites to be launched.
Background
Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide all-weather round-the-clock navigation capabilities for military ground, sea, and air forces. Since its implementation, GPS has also become an integral asset in numerous civilian applications and industries around the globe, including recreational used (e.g., boating, aircraft, hiking), corporate vehicle fleet tracking, and surveying. GPS employs 24 spacecraft in 20,200 km circular orbits inclined at 55°. These vehicles are placed in 6 orbit planes with four operational satellites in each plane.
Spacecraft
The first eleven spacecraft (GPS Block 1) were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the GPS system. They were 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointing using reaction wheels. Dual solar arrays supplied over 400 watts. They had S-band communications for control and telemetry and Ultra high frequency (UHF) cross-link between spacecraft. They were manufactured by Rockwell Space Systems, were 5.3 meters across with solar panels deployed, and had a design life expectancy of 5 years. Unlike the later operational satellites, GPS Block 1 spacecraft were inclined at 63°.
Launch
OPS 5117 was launched at 23:08 UTC on 9 February 1980, atop an Atlas F launch vehicle with an SGS-1 upper stage. The Atlas used had the serial number 35F, and was originally built as an Atlas F. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and placed OPS 5117 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-27 apogee motor.
Mission
By 27 February 1980, OPS 5117 had been raised to an orbit with a perigee of 20144 km, an apogee of 20219 km, a period of 717.94 minutes, and 63.2° of inclination to the equator. The satellite had a design life of 5 years and a mass of 758 kg. It broadcast the PRN 05 signal in the GPS demonstration constellation, and was retired from service on 28 November 1983.
References
References
- (14 May 2020). "Trajectory: Navstar 5 1980-011A". NASA.
- (14 May 2020). "Display: Navstar 5 1980-011A". NASA.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch List". Jonathan's Space Report.
- Krebs, Gunter. "GPS (Navstar)". Gunter's Space Page.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Report.
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