GPS BIII-7 (PRN 01)

GPS BIII-7 (PRN 01) is an active satellite operated by U.S. Space Force (United States), launched on 2024-12-17 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It orbits in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at altitudes between 20,135 km and 20,228 km with an inclination of 54.9°. 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 BIII-7 (PRN 01) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

GPS BIII-7 (PRN 01) orbits at an average altitude of 20,182 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 BIII-7 (PRN 01)’s average altitude, there are currently 102 active payloads and 13 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 54.9°, GPS BIII-7 (PRN 01) passes over latitudes between 54.9°N and 54.9°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 BIII-7 (PRN 01).