INMARSAT 3-F3

INMARSAT 3-F3 is an active satellite operated by INMARSAT, Ltd. (IM), launched on 1996-12-18 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With over 30 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,854 km and 35,882 km with an inclination of 10.3°. 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 INMARSAT 3-F3 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INMARSAT 3-F3 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 10.3°, 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 INMARSAT 3-F3’s average altitude, there are currently 60 active payloads and 39 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. IM operates approximately 20 active satellites in total, of which 3 share a similar altitude band with INMARSAT 3-F3.