DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB
NORAD 25993
Debris
LEO
1999-067C
CONNECTING…
LEO · NORAD 25993
NOW PASSING OVER
Calculating position…
—
Altitude (km)
—
Speed (km/s)
—
Latitude
—
Longitude
Real-time tracking powered by Orbital Radar
🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
706 km
Apogee
708 km
Inclination
98.3°
Period
98.9 min
Mean Motion
14.55715329 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-20 10:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude707 km
Orbital Velocity27,016 km/h
Velocity7.50 km/s
Orbital Period99 minutes
Orbits / Day14.56
Eccentricity0.0001
Semi-Major Axis7,078 km
Orbit ClassSun-Synchronous (SSO)
Est. Orbital Lifetime~25–100 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇺🇸 United States
Launch Date
1999-12-12
Launch Site
Vandenberg SFB, California
Int'l Designator
1999-067C
Object Type
Debris
RCS Size
Medium (0.1–1 m²)
📖 About This Object
DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB is a tracked piece of space debris attributed to United States, launched on 1999-12-12 from Vandenberg SFB, California on the DMSP Block 5D-3 S-15 launch. With over 27 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 706 km and 708 km with an inclination of 98.3°. It travels at approximately 27,016 km/h (7.50 km/s), completing one full orbit every 99 minutes — that’s roughly 14.56 orbits per day. Its near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit means it passes over any given point on Earth at approximately the same local solar time, ideal for consistent Earth observation lighting conditions. Its near-circular orbit (eccentricity close to zero) means it maintains a very consistent altitude throughout each revolution. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. As orbital debris, DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB poses a potential collision risk to operational satellites in nearby orbits and is continuously monitored by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network and other tracking systems.
🌍 Orbit Context
DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB orbits at an average altitude of 707 km in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised subset of LEO where the orbital plane precesses to maintain a constant angle relative to the Sun. This provides consistent lighting conditions on every pass — essential for Earth observation, weather monitoring and environmental science. Within ±50 km of DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB’s average altitude, there are currently 251 active payloads and 1,509 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 98.3°, DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB passes over latitudes between 98.3°N and 98.3°S, providing near-global coverage including the polar regions. Polar and near-polar orbits are used for reconnaissance, weather monitoring and Earth-observation missions that need to image every part of the planet. United States operates approximately 12,358 active satellites in total, of which 61 share a similar altitude band with DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB.
🔗 Tracked Space Debris
This is a tracked piece of orbital debris — a fragment from a collision, explosion, or separation event that no longer serves any useful purpose. Space surveillance networks catalogue objects larger than approximately 10 cm in LEO. Even small debris can be catastrophic at orbital velocities (7–8 km/s in LEO), carrying kinetic energy comparable to a hand grenade per centimetre-sized fragment. The growing debris population is one of the most pressing challenges for long-term space sustainability.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB is in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised form of LEO at approximately 707 km altitude. Its 98.3° inclination causes the orbital plane to precess at exactly the rate of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, so the satellite crosses each latitude at a consistent local solar time. It completes one orbit every 99 minutes, travelling at 27,016 km/h.
DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB (NORAD ID 25993) is a piece of tracked orbital debris attributed to United States. It was likely created by a fragmentation event, collision, or mission-related separation. Even small debris objects at orbital velocities carry enormous kinetic energy, so they are tracked by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network to enable collision avoidance for operational satellites.
DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB was launched on 1999-12-12 from Vandenberg SFB, California, primarily used for polar and sun-synchronous orbit launches due to its southward ocean trajectory from California. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~25–100 years. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB (NORAD ID 25993) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB travels at approximately 27,016 km/h (16,787 mph) — roughly 7.50 km/s. It completes 14.56 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 29 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.
All tracked debris poses a potential collision risk to operational satellites. At orbital velocities, even a small object carries enormous kinetic energy — a 1 cm fragment at 7.50 km/s has the energy equivalent of a hand grenade. Space agencies perform routine conjunction assessments and may manoeuvre operational satellites to avoid tracked objects like DMSP 5D-2 F15 DEB. Read more about debris statistics and the Kessler syndrome.