Approximate orbit · United States
USA 281
USA 281 (NORAD 43145) 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
1,079 to 1,080 km up · tilted 106.0° · 106.8 min a lap · as listed on 14 Oct 2026
Its height and tilt are public. Which way its orbit faces, and where it is, are not, so azmth shows no position or pass times.
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
- 12 Jan 2018
- COSPAR ID
- 2018-005A
- NORAD ID
- 43145
The United States' UN registration gives its orbit as about 1,030 to 1,055 km up, tilted 106°, 106.3 min a lap (ST/SG/SER.E/877, 9 Oct 2020). 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 radar imaging, 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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