OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1)

OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1) is an active satellite operated by SAMSO (United States), launched on 1974-08-09 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States on the DMSP Block 5C F-1 launch. After more than 52 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 763 km and 822 km with an inclination of 98.5°. It travels at approximately 26,854 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.30 orbits per day. Its near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit means it passes over any given point on Earth at approximately the same local solar time, ideal for consistent Earth observation lighting conditions. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1) orbits at an average altitude of 793 km in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised subset of LEO where the orbital plane precesses to maintain a constant angle relative to the Sun. This provides consistent lighting conditions on every pass — essential for Earth observation, weather monitoring and environmental science. Within ±50 km of OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1)’s average altitude, there are currently 439 active payloads and 2,481 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 98.5°, OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1) passes over latitudes between 98.5°N and 98.5°S, providing near-global coverage including the polar regions. Polar and near-polar orbits are used for reconnaissance, weather monitoring and Earth-observation missions that need to image every part of the planet. United States operates approximately 13,279 active satellites in total, of which 191 share a similar altitude band with OPS 6983 (DMSP 5C F1).