CHINASAT 5B (SINOSAT 1)

CHINASAT 5B (SINOSAT 1) is an active satellite operated by China Satellite Communications (China), launched on 1998-07-18 from Xichang, China. With over 28 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,076 km and 36,107 km with an inclination of 11.0°. It travels at approximately 11,030 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 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 CHINASAT 5B (SINOSAT 1) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CHINASAT 5B (SINOSAT 1) 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 11.0°, 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 CHINASAT 5B (SINOSAT 1)’s average altitude, there are currently 159 active payloads and 10 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 11 share a similar altitude band with CHINASAT 5B (SINOSAT 1).