OPS 9442 (DSCS 2-12)

OPS 9442 (DSCS 2-12) is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 1978-12-14 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With over 48 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,287 km and 36,328 km with an inclination of 8.3°. It travels at approximately 11,002 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.4 hours — that’s roughly 0.98 orbits per day. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks OPS 9442 (DSCS 2-12) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 9442 (DSCS 2-12) occupies geostationary orbit at approximately 35,786 km above the equator, where its orbital period matches the Earth’s 24-hour rotation. From the ground, it appears to hover over a fixed point — ideal for broadcast television, weather monitoring and wideband communications. With an inclination of 8.3°, it traces a small figure-of-eight pattern relative to the equator rather than remaining perfectly stationary, which can indicate aging stationkeeping fuel or a deliberate inclined-orbit strategy. Within ±50 km of OPS 9442 (DSCS 2-12)’s average altitude, there are currently 51 active payloads and 7 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 12,360 active satellites in total, of which 15 share a similar altitude band with OPS 9442 (DSCS 2-12).