CHINASAT 22

CHINASAT 22 is an active satellite operated by China Satellite Communications (China), launched on 2000-01-25 from Xichang, China. With over 26 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,614 km and 36,655 km with an inclination of 12.5°. It travels at approximately 10,960 km/h (3.04 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.7 hours — that’s roughly 0.97 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 22 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CHINASAT 22 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 12.5°, 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 CHINASAT 22’s average altitude, there are currently 7 active payloads and 2 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,218 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with CHINASAT 22.