CHINASAT 31 (BEIDOU 1B)

CHINASAT 31 (BEIDOU 1B) is an active satellite operated by China National Space Administration (China), launched on 2000-12-20 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 35,734 km and 36,413 km with an inclination of 12.6°. It travels at approximately 11,032 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 hours — that’s roughly 0.99 orbits per day. It is part of the Beidou constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks CHINASAT 31 (BEIDOU 1B) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CHINASAT 31 (BEIDOU 1B) 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 12.6°, 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 31 (BEIDOU 1B)’s average altitude, there are currently 134 active payloads and 16 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 31 (BEIDOU 1B).