OPS 0757 (TACSAT)

OPS 0757 (TACSAT) is an active satellite operated by SAMSO (United States), launched on 1969-02-09 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the Tacsat launch. After more than 57 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,638 km and 35,835 km with an inclination of 3.2°. It travels at approximately 11,076 km/h (3.08 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.00 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 0757 (TACSAT) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 0757 (TACSAT) 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 3.2°, 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 0757 (TACSAT)’s average altitude, there are currently 575 active payloads and 49 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. United States operates approximately 13,279 active satellites in total, of which 128 share a similar altitude band with OPS 0757 (TACSAT).