🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
GPS II-3
Retired 2000GPS II-3 (NORAD 20185, COSPAR 1989-064A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 13 Oct 2000, launched on 18 Aug 1989 on the Navstar GPS SVN 16 mission. It is catalogued as GPS SVN 16. It was operated by USAF SSD as part of the GPS II programme. The spacecraft was built by RWISB on the GPS II bus, with a mass of 776 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1989
launched
2000
retired
37
years on orbit
776
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched18 Aug 1989 · on the Navstar GPS SVN 16 mission
Operational13 Oct 2000 · entered service
Retired13 Oct 2000 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID20185
COSPAR1989-064A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUSAF SSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWISB
BusGPS II
Mass776 kg
ProgrammeGPS II
CategoryNAV
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude20,113 × 20,246 km
Inclination54.9°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to GPS II-3?
GPS II-3 was retired from service around 13 Oct 2000 after launching in 1989. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built GPS II-3?
GPS II-3 was operated by USAF SSD and built by RWISB (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-19.