GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03)

GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03) is an active satellite operated by DoD/US Air Force (United States), launched on 2014-10-29 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. After 12 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at altitudes between 20,003 km and 20,359 km with an inclination of 57.0°. It travels at approximately 13,948 km/h (3.87 km/s), completing one full orbit every 11 hours 58 minutes — that’s roughly 2.01 orbits per day. It is part of the Gps Ops constellation group. Orbital Radar tracks GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03) orbits at an average altitude of 20,181 km in Medium Earth Orbit, the region between LEO and GEO (2,000–35,786 km). MEO’s higher altitude gives each satellite a much larger ground footprint than LEO, meaning fewer spacecraft are needed for global coverage — but signal latency is higher and radiation from the Van Allen belts is a significant design constraint. Within ±50 km of GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03)’s average altitude, there are currently 102 active payloads and 14 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include GPS BIIR-5 (PRN 22), GPS BIIR-8 (PRN 16), GPS BIIR-11 (PRN 19). With an inclination of 57.0°, GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03) passes over latitudes between 57.0°N and 57.0°S, covering most populated land masses in both hemispheres. This mid-inclination band balances global coverage with efficient launch energy requirements. United States operates approximately 12,339 active satellites in total, of which 43 share a similar altitude band with GPS BIIF-8 (PRN 03).