Serge Morel        P.O. Box 17222     Sarasota, FL   34276-0222                 Fax:   (941) 378- 8008     e-mail:   serg@gte.net 9/20/2000 Page 207 of 579 THE GPS-36 The Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) 36 was launched by the U.S. Department of Defense in March 1994 in the C-1 orbital plane.   This satellite is a Block IIA configuration and is know as SVN36 or PRN06. GPS-36 is also configured with a small panel of optical retro reflectors, enabling it to be tracked by the international network of SLR stations.   A primary objective of the GPS Laser Retro reflector Experiment (GPS/LRE) is to provide an independent, high-precision measurement of satellite position that, when compared with GPS pseudo ranges, can unambiguously separate satellite- position errors from onboard atomic clock errors.   GPS-36 Characteristics:      Full Name: Global Positioning Satellite 36        Launch Vehicle:        Manufacturer: Rockwell International        COSPAR ID: 9401601        Launch Date: 10-Mar-94        Launch Vehicle:        Reflectors: 32 fused-quartz corner cubes        Size: 17 feet with solar panels extended        Shape (array): Planar rectangle        Size (array): 24 cm x 19 cm        Orbital period: 12 hours        Planned Lifespan: 7.5 years        Inclination: 54.9 degrees        Eccentricity:        Altitude: 20,200 km (10,900 nautical miles)        Period: 718 minutes        Weight: 930 kg (1900 lbs in orbit)