DMSP 5D-3 F18 (USA 210)

DMSP 5D-3 F18 (USA 210) is an active satellite operated by DoD/NOAA (United States), launched on 2009-10-18 from Vandenberg SFB, California. After 17 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 835 km and 850 km with an inclination of 98.9°. It travels at approximately 26,761 km/h (7.43 km/s), completing one full orbit every 102 minutes — that’s roughly 14.15 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. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~100–500 years. Orbital Radar tracks DMSP 5D-3 F18 (USA 210) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

DMSP 5D-3 F18 (USA 210) orbits at an average altitude of 843 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-3 F18 (USA 210)’s average altitude, there are currently 265 active payloads and 2,118 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0179, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 98.9°, DMSP 5D-3 F18 (USA 210) passes over latitudes between 98.9°N and 98.9°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 12,339 active satellites in total, of which 47 share a similar altitude band with DMSP 5D-3 F18 (USA 210).