OV2-5

OV2-5 is an active satellite operated by SAMSO (United States), launched on 1968-09-26 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the OV2-5 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 35,099 km and 35,761 km with an inclination of 2.3°. It travels at approximately 11,117 km/h (3.09 km/s), completing one full orbit every 23 hours 38 minutes — that’s roughly 1.02 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 OV2-5 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OV2-5 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 2.3°, 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 OV2-5’s average altitude, there are currently 2 active payloads and 18 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 13,279 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with OV2-5.