OPS 3811

OPS 3811 is an active satellite operated by SAMSO (United States), launched on 1971-05-05 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the DSP 3 launch. After more than 55 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,291 km and 36,485 km with an inclination of 0.7°. It travels at approximately 10,992 km/h (3.05 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.4 hours — that’s roughly 0.98 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 3811 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 3811 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 0.7°, 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 3811’s average altitude, there are currently 23 active payloads and 17 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 13,279 active satellites in total, of which 5 share a similar altitude band with OPS 3811.