OSCAR 24
NORAD 15936
Payload
LEO
1985-066B
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LEO · NORAD 15936
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
998 km
Apogee
1251 km
Inclination
90.2°
Period
107.8 min
Mean Motion
13.35954139 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-03-17 19:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude1,125 km
Orbital Velocity26,253 km/h
Velocity7.29 km/s
Orbital Period108 minutes
Orbits / Day13.36
Eccentricity0.0169
Semi-Major Axis7,496 km
Est. Orbital Lifetime~500–1,000 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇺🇸 United States
Launch Date
1985-08-03
Launch Site
Vandenberg SFB, California
Int'l Designator
1985-066B
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
🔗 Constellation / Groups
nnss
📖 About This Object
OSCAR 24 is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 1985-08-03 from Vandenberg SFB, California. With over 41 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 998 km and 1,251 km with an inclination of 90.2°. It travels at approximately 26,253 km/h (7.29 km/s), completing one full orbit every 108 minutes — that’s roughly 13.36 orbits per day. It is part of the Nnss constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~500–1,000 years. Orbital Radar tracks OSCAR 24 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
OSCAR 24 occupies the mid-LEO band between 600 and 1,000 km, where atmospheric drag is minimal but radiation exposure remains low. This altitude range balances orbital longevity (decades to centuries) with reasonable ground coverage, making it popular for remote sensing constellations, scientific instruments and weather satellites. Debris concerns are significant here because objects persist far longer than in lower orbits.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
OSCAR 24 orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 998 km (perigee) and 1,251 km (apogee), with an average altitude of approximately 1,125 km. It completes one orbit every 108 minutes, travelling at approximately 26,253 km/h (16,313 mph).
OSCAR 24 is operated by United States. It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 15936. You can track OSCAR 24 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker.
OSCAR 24 was launched on 1985-08-03 from Vandenberg SFB, California, primarily used for polar and sun-synchronous orbit launches due to its southward ocean trajectory from California. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~500–1,000 years.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks OSCAR 24 (NORAD ID 15936) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time.
OSCAR 24 travels at approximately 26,253 km/h (16,313 mph) — roughly 7.29 km/s. It completes 13.36 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 27 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.
OSCAR 24 is a member of the Nnss constellation. Satellites in this group work together to provide coordinated coverage, typically in similar orbital planes at comparable altitudes. You can view all Nnss satellites on Orbital Radar’s live tracker.