BS-3B (YURI 3B)

BS-3B (YURI 3B) is an active satellite operated by Japan, launched on 1991-08-25 from TNSTA. With over 35 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,190 km and 36,223 km with an inclination of 13.4°. It travels at approximately 11,015 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-3B (YURI 3B) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

BS-3B (YURI 3B) 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 13.4°, 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-3B (YURI 3B)’s average altitude, there are currently 97 active payloads and 17 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Japan operates approximately 189 active satellites in total, of which 9 share a similar altitude band with BS-3B (YURI 3B).