FAST 2 (USA 228)

FAST 2 (USA 228) is an active satellite operated by USAF SMC (United States), launched on 2010-11-20 from Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska, United States on the STP-SIV launch. After 16 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 603 km and 626 km with an inclination of 72.0°. It travels at approximately 27,194 km/h (7.55 km/s), completing one full orbit every 97 minutes — that’s roughly 14.85 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks FAST 2 (USA 228) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

FAST 2 (USA 228) orbits at an average altitude of 615 km in the mid-LEO band, where atmospheric drag is minimal but radiation exposure remains manageable. Objects at this altitude persist for decades to centuries, making debris mitigation critical. This regime is popular for remote sensing constellations and scientific instruments that need stable, long-duration orbits. Within ±50 km of FAST 2 (USA 228)’s average altitude, there are currently 1,273 active payloads and 798 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ONEWEB-0050, STARLINK-3055, STARLINK-3109. This makes it one of the more crowded altitude bands, containing roughly 6.7% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 72.0°, FAST 2 (USA 228) passes over latitudes between 72.0°N and 72.0°S, covering most populated land masses in both hemispheres. This mid-inclination band balances global coverage with efficient launch energy requirements. United States operates approximately 13,340 active satellites in total, of which 720 share a similar altitude band with FAST 2 (USA 228).