AEHF-3 (USA 246)

MilitaryGEOUnited States

AEHF-3 (USA 246) is a military satellite, as listed in Jonathan McDowell's GCAT catalogue, with ownership listed as United States in CelesTrak's catalogue, currently in a geostationary orbit about 35,398 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 5.6°. It was launched in 2013. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 39256
COSPAR ID: 2013-050A
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,398 km
Apogee (highest): 36,191 km
Inclination: 5.59°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 2013
Owner (CelesTrak): United States

Orbital data updated: 2026-10-18 · from CelesTrak, refreshed every 2 hours.

Who operates it

United StatesLIVEActive

Communications

GCAT lists it as AEHF SV-3.

Independent assessment

GCAT classes it as a military satellite for communications and records it as active (17 Oct 2026).

Data: GCAT · CC BY 4.0 Class, mission and status adapted from GCAT by Jonathan McDowell, CC BY 4.0, data update 17 Oct 2026.

Military satellites, counted and explained →

About GEO orbit

Geostationary Orbit. Exactly 35,786 km above the equator. Satellites here orbit at the same rate Earth rotates, so they appear stationary in the sky. Used for TV, weather, and communications.