🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
GPS IIA-2
Retired 2011GPS IIA-2 (NORAD 21552, COSPAR 1991-047A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 4 Nov 2011, launched on 4 Jul 1991 on the Navstar GPS SVN 24 mission. It is catalogued as GPS SVN 24. It was operated by USAF SSD as part of the GPS IIA programme. The spacecraft was built by RWISB on the GPS IIA bus, with a mass of 860 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1991
launched
2011
retired
35
years on orbit
860
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched4 Jul 1991 · on the Navstar GPS SVN 24 mission
Operational4 Nov 2011 · entered service
Retired4 Nov 2011 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID21552
COSPAR1991-047A
TypeSatellite
OperatorUSAF SSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRWISB
BusGPS IIA
Mass860 kg
ProgrammeGPS IIA
CategoryNAV
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude20,085 × 20,274 km
Inclination55.2°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to GPS IIA-2?
GPS IIA-2 was retired from service around 4 Nov 2011 after launching in 1991. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built GPS IIA-2?
GPS IIA-2 was operated by USAF SSD and built by RWISB (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-18.