INSAT 1D

INSAT 1D is an active satellite operated by ISRO (India), launched on 1990-06-12 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the Insat 1D launch. With over 36 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,717 km and 35,862 km with an inclination of 14.6°. 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 1D in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INSAT 1D 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 14.6°, 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 1D’s average altitude, there are currently 736 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 1D.