SBIRS GEO-3 (USA 282)

MilitaryGEOEquatorialUnited States

SBIRS GEO-3 (USA 282) 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 35,785 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 2.3°. It was launched in 2018. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 43162
COSPAR ID: 2018-009A
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,785 km
Apogee (highest): 35,801 km
Inclination: 2.29°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 2018
Owner (CelesTrak): United States

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

Who operates it

United StatesLIVEActive

Missile warning

Independent assessment

GCAT classes it as a military satellite for missile warning 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.