Geostationary
USA 271
Classified · US Intelligence Community
Right now
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A classified US satellite launched alongside USA-270 in 2016 into geostationary orbit. The dual launch of two classified GEO satellites simultaneously is unusual, suggesting either redundancy requirements or complementary mission profiles where two spacecraft working in concert provide capabilities unavailable to a single satellite. The Space Force maintains a growing fleet of classified GEO satellites as the geostationary belt becomes an increasingly contested strategic environment.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Geostationaryappears to hang motionless over one spot on the equator
- Altitude
- 22,673–22,685 mi (36,489–36,508 km)
- Inclination
- 4.5°
- One orbit
- 24.5 hoursabout one orbit a day
- NORAD ID
- 41745
- Int’l designator
- 2016-052B
- Launched
- 2016
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 2 Nov 2026.