🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
GPS II-8
Retired 2003GPS II-8 (NORAD 20724, COSPAR 1990-068A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 28 May 2003, launched on 2 Aug 1990 on the Navstar GPS SVN 21 mission. It is catalogued as GPS SVN 21. 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.
1990
launched
2003
retired
36
years on orbit
776
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched2 Aug 1990 · on the Navstar GPS SVN 21 mission
Operational27 Jan 2003 · entered service
Retired28 May 2003 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID20724
COSPAR1990-068A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUSAF SSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWISB
BusGPS II
Mass776 kg
ProgrammeGPS II
CategoryNAV
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude19,932 × 20,434 km
Inclination54.7°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to GPS II-8?
GPS II-8 was retired from service around 28 May 2003 after launching in 1990. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
How long was GPS II-8 operational?
GPS II-8 was operational for roughly 4 months, from 27 Jan 2003 to 28 May 2003.
Who operated and built GPS II-8?
GPS II-8 was operated by USAF SSD and built by RWISB (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-18.