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Communications

SMDC ONE 1.2

US Army Tactical Communications Technology Demonstrator · US Army Space and Missile Defense Command

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SMDC-ONE 1.2, a US Army technology demonstration CubeSat launched in 2011 to test tactical data relay for soldiers in the field — a small-satellite communications concept developed by the Army Space and Missile Defense Command specifically for battlefield connectivity in areas without other infrastructure.

Its orbit

Orbit
Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
Altitude
280–346 mi (451–558 km)
Inclination
64.7°
One orbit
94.6 minutes15.2 orbits a day
NORAD ID
38759
Int’l designator
2012-048B
Launched
2012

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.

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