INSAT 2B

INSAT 2B is an active satellite operated by ISRO (India), launched on 1993-07-22 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on the Hispasat 1B launch. With over 33 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,792 km and 35,941 km with an inclination of 14.5°. It travels at approximately 11,059 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 2B in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INSAT 2B 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 14.5°, 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 2B’s average altitude, there are currently 73 active payloads and 35 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. India operates approximately 109 active satellites in total, of which 4 share a similar altitude band with INSAT 2B.