GALAXY 15

GALAXY 15 is an active satellite operated by PanAmSat (Intelsat S.A.) (ITSO), launched on 2005-10-13 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 21 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,102 km and 36,225 km with an inclination of 3.5°. It travels at approximately 11,020 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.3 hours — that’s roughly 0.99 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 GALAXY 15 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

GALAXY 15 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 3.5°, 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 GALAXY 15’s average altitude, there are currently 152 active payloads and 10 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ITSO operates approximately 72 active satellites in total, of which 15 share a similar altitude band with GALAXY 15.