Without a telescope
No brightness estimateWe have no brightness estimate for it, so we cannot say how easy it is to see.
Satellites›Amateur radio satellites›FOX-1A (AO-85)
FOX-1A (AO-85)
FOX-1A (AO-85) is an amateur radio satellite from the United States, launched on October 8, 2015 from Vandenberg, California, United States. It is in a low orbit, 491 to 694 km above the ground, and goes around the Earth every 96.5 minutes: 14.9 times a day, at 7.56 km/s (27,200 km/h).
Where FOX-1A (AO-85) is right now
The gold ring is its orbit, and the line drops to the point on the ground under it. Inside the white circle it is above the horizon. Drag the globe to turn it, pinch or use the buttons to come closer; the target button brings you back to the satellite. The 2D map shows its path over the ground for the next lap: gold where it is in sunlight, dashed where it is in Earth’s shadow.
Finding FOX-1A (AO-85)…
FOX-1A (AO-85)
Finding FOX-1A (AO-85)…
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Can you see it?
From where
It passes straight overhead only between latitudes 65° north and 65° south, and rises above the horizon as far as about 88°. Nearer the poles than that it is never in the sky.
A satellite shows only when your sky is dark and it is still in sunlight: in the hours after dusk and before dawn.
When it passes over you
The app works out its passes over your exact location, alerts you before one, and leads you to it with an arrow in the camera view.
The facts
- Catalogue number (NORAD)
- 40967
- International designator
- 2015-058D
- Type
- Satellite
- Belongs to
- United States
- Launched
- October 8, 2015
- Launched from
- Vandenberg, California, United States
- Status
- Operational
- Orbit
- Low Earth orbit
- Lowest point
- 491 km
- Highest point
- 694 km
- Tilt to the equator
- 64.8°
- One lap
- 96.5 minutes
- Laps a day
- 14.92
- Speed
- 7.56 km/s
Orbit measured November 13, 2026, from CelesTrak. Heights are above the ground at the equator. Page updated November 14, 2026.
Quick answers
Where is FOX-1A (AO-85) right now?
The map on this page shows where FOX-1A (AO-85) is at this moment, the path it will follow over the ground for the next lap, and the part of the Earth it is above the horizon for. It is worked out from the latest tracking data.
How high is FOX-1A (AO-85)?
Between 491 km at its lowest and 694 km at its highest, above the ground.
How fast does FOX-1A (AO-85) go?
About 7.56 km/s, which is 27,200 km/h. One lap of the Earth takes it 96.5 minutes, so it goes around 14.9 times a day.
Can you see FOX-1A (AO-85) without a telescope?
No brightness estimate. We have no brightness estimate for it, so we cannot say how easy it is to see.
When was FOX-1A (AO-85) launched?
On October 8, 2015, from Vandenberg, California, United States.
With the app
Knowing where it is over the Earth is one thing. The app shows you where it is in your sky.
This page follows the satellite around the planet. The app works out when it passes over you, and leads you to it.
- Every pass over your exact location, for this satellite and 10,000+ more.
- An alert before it rises, so you are outside in time.
- An arrow in the camera view that leads you to the exact spot in the sky.
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