INSAT 1C

INSAT 1C is an active satellite operated by ISRO (India), launched on 1988-07-21 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on the Insat 1C launch. With over 38 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,760 km and 35,829 km with an inclination of 11.2°. It travels at approximately 11,069 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.00 orbits per day. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks INSAT 1C in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INSAT 1C occupies geostationary orbit at approximately 35,786 km above the equator, where its orbital period matches the Earth’s 24-hour rotation. From the ground, it appears to hover over a fixed point — ideal for broadcast television, weather monitoring and wideband communications. With an inclination of 11.2°, it traces a small figure-of-eight pattern relative to the equator rather than remaining perfectly stationary, which can indicate aging stationkeeping fuel or a deliberate inclined-orbit strategy. Within ±50 km of INSAT 1C’s average altitude, there are currently 738 active payloads and 49 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. India operates approximately 109 active satellites in total, of which 36 share a similar altitude band with INSAT 1C.