OPS 5111

OPS 5111, also known as Navstar 1, NDS-1, GPS I-1 and GPS SVN-1, was an American navigation satellite launched in 1978 as part of the Global Positioning System development program. It was the first GPS satellite to be launched, and one of eleven Block I demonstration satellites.

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 5111 was launched at 23:44 UTC on 22 February 1978, atop an Atlas F launch vehicle with an SGS-1 upper stage. The Atlas used had the serial number 64F, and was originally built as an Atlas F. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 (SLC-3E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and placed OPS 5111 into a transfer orbit. The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-27 apogee motor.

Mission
By 29 March 1978, OPS 5111 was in an orbit with a perigee of 20095 km, an apogee of 20308 km, a period of 718.70 minutes, and 63.3° of inclination to the equator. The satellite had a design life of 5 years and a mass of 758 kg. It broadcast the PRN 04 signal in the GPS demonstration constellation, and was retired from service on 17 July 1985.