ASCENT

MilitaryGEOEquatorialUnited States

ASCENT 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 35,488 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1422 minutes at an inclination of 4.5°. It was launched in 2021. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 51287
COSPAR ID: 2021-118E
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,488 km
Apogee (highest): 35,565 km
Inclination: 4.48°
Orbital period: 1422 min
Launch year: 2021
Owner (CelesTrak): United States

Orbital data updated: 2026-10-17 · from CelesTrak, refreshed every 2 hours.

Who operates it

United StatesLIVEActive

Technology test

Independent assessment

GCAT classes it as a military satellite for technology testing 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.