SMS 2

SMS 2 is an active satellite operated by GSFC (United States), launched on 1975-02-06 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the SMS B launch. After more than 51 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,939 km and 36,066 km with an inclination of 5.2°. It travels at approximately 11,041 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 SMS 2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

SMS 2 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 5.2°, 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 SMS 2’s average altitude, there are currently 66 active payloads and 33 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 13,276 active satellites in total, of which 20 share a similar altitude band with SMS 2.