BS-3A (YURI 3A)

BS-3A (YURI 3A) is an active satellite operated by Japan, launched on 1990-08-28 from TNSTA. With over 36 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,150 km and 36,251 km with an inclination of 15.6°. It travels at approximately 11,016 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.3 hours — that’s roughly 0.99 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 BS-3A (YURI 3A) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

BS-3A (YURI 3A) 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 15.6°, 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 BS-3A (YURI 3A)’s average altitude, there are currently 104 active payloads and 15 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Japan operates approximately 189 active satellites in total, of which 9 share a similar altitude band with BS-3A (YURI 3A).