INSAT 3E

INSAT 3E is an active satellite operated by India, launched on 2003-09-27 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou on the e-Bird launch. With over 23 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,586 km and 35,688 km with an inclination of 9.7°. It travels at approximately 11,089 km/h (3.08 km/s), completing one full orbit every 23 hours 48 minutes — that’s roughly 1.01 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 3E in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INSAT 3E 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 9.7°, 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 3E’s average altitude, there are currently 7 active payloads and 24 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. India operates approximately 108 active satellites in total.