It was the thirteenth of twenty one Block IIR GPS satellites to be launched, and the last in the original configuration.

[2] USA-180 was launched at 05:39:00 UTC on 6 November 2004, atop a Delta II carrier rocket, flight number D308, flying in the 7925-9.5 configuration.

The satellite raised itself into medium Earth orbit using a Star-37FM apogee motor.

[4] It is used to broadcast the PRN 02 signal, and operates in slot 1 of plane D of the GPS constellation.

The satellite has a mass of 2,032 kilograms (4,480 lb), and a design life of 10 years.