In case you missed it: 06 January 2015 was the last day of service for GPS SVN-26. SVN-26 was a Boeing/Rockwell International Block II GPS satellite launched 07 July 1992 one of the first generation of operational GPS satellites with a design life of only 7.5 years. A testament to the satellite engineers and the men and women of the Air Force, the Second Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base has successfully managed SVN-26 in its mission for over 22 years.
On 7 Jan, SVN-26 (PRN-26) was transferred from the operational ground control system (AEP) to Launch, Anomaly and Disposal Operations (LADO). In the near-term, PRN-26 will be used for clock checkout activities on a few LADO satellites. The compatibility test for SVN-71, the next IIF satellite to launch (SVN-71/IIF-9) is scheduled for the week of 19 Jan. PRN-26 will be used by SVN-71 for the compatibility test and then be used again for LADO satellite clock tests. PRN-26 will be reassigned to SV-71 just prior to launch. SVN-71/PRN-26 is currently scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral on 25 Mar 2015.
NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2015005
SUBJ: SVN26 (PRN26) DECOMMISSIONING JDAY 006/2200
1. NANU TYPE: DECOM
NANU NUMBER: 2015005
NANU DTG: 062219Z JAN 2015
REFERENCE NANU: 2015002
REF NANU DTG: 021659Z JAN 2015
SVN: 26
PRN: 26
UNUSABLE START JDAY: 005
UNUSABLE START TIME ZULU: 1750
UNUSABLE START CALENDAR DATE: 05 JAN 2015
DECOMMISSIONING JDAY: 006
DECOMMISSIONING TIME ZULU: 2200
DECOMMISSIONING CALENDAR DATE: 06 JAN 2015
2. CONDITION: GPS SATELLITE SVN26 (PRN26) WAS UNUSABLE AS OF JDAY 005 (05 JAN 2015)
AND REMOVED FROM THE GPS CONSTELLATION ON JDAY 006 (06 JAN 2015).
3. POC: CIVILIAN – NAVCEN AT 703-313-5900, HTTP://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV
MILITARY – GPS OPERATIONS CENTER at HTTPS://GPS.AFSPC.AF.MIL/GPSOC, DSN 560-2541,
COMM 719-567-2541, gpsoperationscenter@us.af.mil, HTTPS://GPS.AFSPC.AF.MIL
MILITARY ALTERNATE – JOINT SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER, DSN 276-3514,
COMM 805-606-3514, JSPOCCOMBATOPS@VANDENBERG.AF.MIL