INSAT 3B

INSAT 3B is an active satellite operated by India, launched on 2000-03-21 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 26 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,938 km and 35,979 km with an inclination of 10.9°. It travels at approximately 11,047 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 3B in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INSAT 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 10.9°, 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 3B’s average altitude, there are currently 57 active payloads and 19 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. India operates approximately 108 active satellites in total, of which 4 share a similar altitude band with INSAT 3B.