OPS 2222

OPS 2222 is an active satellite operated by NRO / SAFSP (United States), launched on 1968-08-06 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the CANYON 1 launch. After more than 58 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 32,281 km and 39,865 km with an inclination of 5.6°. It travels at approximately 11,032 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 hours — that’s roughly 0.99 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 2222 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 2222 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 5.6°, 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 2222’s average altitude, there are currently 139 active payloads and 18 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 13,279 active satellites in total, of which 34 share a similar altitude band with OPS 2222.