GSAT 1
NORAD 26745
Payload
GEO
2001-015A
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GEO · NORAD 26745
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
33856 km
Apogee
35784 km
Inclination
12.8°
Period
1387.0 min
Mean Motion
1.03821284 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 21:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude34,820 km
Orbital Velocity11,199 km/h
Velocity3.11 km/s
Orbital Period23 hours 7 minutes
Orbits / Day1.04
Eccentricity0.0234
Semi-Major Axis41,191 km
Est. Orbital LifetimeEffectively permanent — above atmospheric drag
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇮🇳 India
Launch Date
2001-04-18
Launch Site
SRI
Int'l Designator
2001-015A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
GSAT 1 is an active satellite operated by India, launched on 2001-04-18 from SRI. With over 25 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 33,856 km and 35,784 km with an inclination of 12.8°. It travels at approximately 11,199 km/h (3.11 km/s), completing one full orbit every 23 hours 7 minutes — that’s roughly 1.04 orbits per day. Orbital Radar tracks GSAT 1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
GSAT 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 12.8°, 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. India operates approximately 108 active satellites in total.
🔗 Galileo Navigation Constellation
This satellite is part of Galileo, the European Union's global navigation satellite system. Galileo provides high-accuracy positioning independent of GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou. The constellation operates at approximately 23,222 km altitude in three orbital planes with an inclination of 56°. Galileo offers multiple services including the Open Service (free, metre-level accuracy), High Accuracy Service (centimetre-level) and the Search and Rescue return-link service.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
GSAT 1 orbits at approximately 34,820 km altitude, where the orbital period matches the Earth’s 24-hour rotation. This means it stays above the same point on the equator at all times. Its actual speed is still 11,199 km/h — it just keeps pace with the ground below. With an inclination of 12.8°, it actually traces a small figure-of-eight pattern rather than remaining perfectly fixed. Learn more about geostationary orbits.
GSAT 1 is operated by India. It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 26745. You can track GSAT 1 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
GSAT 1 was launched on 2001-04-18 from SRI. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks GSAT 1 (NORAD ID 26745) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
GSAT 1 travels at approximately 11,199 km/h (6,959 mph) — roughly 3.11 km/s. Despite this high speed, it appears stationary from the ground because it matches the Earth’s rotation. Geostationary satellites are actually slower than LEO satellites because orbital velocity decreases with altitude.