SVN37 Bounces Back to Service

The SVN37 is now back to life resuming transmitting L-band code utilizing PRN01, although it would continue to be set to unhealthy, initially, and would not be included in broadcast almanacs.

It should be recalled that on December 20, 2007 SVN37 with PRN07, was decommissioned from active service. This was necessary to make way for future, newer satellites in the GPS constellation; it only has one healthy clock. It's L-band transmitters remained active until January 14, at which time it was stored in orbit under Launch and Early Orbit.

A revisit to the SVN37 prompted U.S. Air Force GPS administrators to announce through a Notice Advisory to Navstar Users (NANU) earlier this month that the current satellite to utilize PRN01 until now, SVN32, had its L-band transmissions discontinued, which freed up PRN01; The Air Force said earlier this year that it was evaluating SVN32 for long-term storage.

Also, Russia's GLONASS administrators two GLONASS satellites originally launched in December 2004 have been officially retired. GLONASS 796, in slot 1, had been set unhealthy since May 4; GLONASS 797, in slot 8, had been set unhealthy since June 16.