OPS 9434 (DSCS 2-4)

OPS 9434 (DSCS 2-4) is an active satellite operated by SAMSO / US DCA (United States), launched on 1973-12-13 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the DSCS II B-3 launch. After more than 53 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,300 km and 36,852 km with an inclination of 4.4°. It travels at approximately 10,967 km/h (3.05 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.6 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 9434 (DSCS 2-4) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 9434 (DSCS 2-4) 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 4.4°, 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 9434 (DSCS 2-4)’s average altitude, there are currently 9 active payloads and 14 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 9434 (DSCS 2-4).