OPS 9431 (DSCS 2-1)

OPS 9431 (DSCS 2-1) is an active satellite operated by SAMSO / US DCA (United States), launched on 1971-11-03 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the DSCS II A-1 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 35,759 km and 35,821 km with an inclination of 1.3°. It travels at approximately 11,069 km/h (3.07 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 9431 (DSCS 2-1) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 9431 (DSCS 2-1) 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 1.3°, 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 OPS 9431 (DSCS 2-1)’s average altitude, there are currently 735 active payloads and 60 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 154 share a similar altitude band with OPS 9431 (DSCS 2-1).