Approximate orbit · United States
USA 279
USA 279 (NORAD 42949) is a satellite whose full orbit is not public. What is published: its height and tilt, drawn to scale, and who operates it.
Orbit
Approximate orbit, direction and position not public
35,778 to 35,794 km up · tilted 3.3° · 1,436.1 min a lap · as listed on 14 Oct 2026
Its height and tilt are public. The spot above the equator it keeps is not, so azmth shows no position.
Why some orbits are not public →
Height and tilt: CelesTrak and Space-Track.org, as listed on 14 Oct 2026
Catalogue
- Country
- United States
- From GCAT (14 Oct 2026)
- Launched
- 15 Oct 2017
- COSPAR ID
- 2017-066A
- NORAD ID
- 42949
The United States registered the orbit it was launched into: about 742 to 35,772 km up, tilted 18.8°, 640.5 min a lap (ST/SG/SER.E/877, 9 Oct 2020). Where it works now is not published. The United States gives its function as “Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communications”.
Who operates it
Independent assessment
GCAT classes it as a military satellite for communications, lists its owner as National Reconnaissance Office and records it as active (14 Oct 2026).
Data: GCAT · CC BY 4.0 Class, mission and status adapted from GCAT by Jonathan McDowell, CC BY 4.0, data update 14 Oct 2026.
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