CHINASAT 22A

CHINASAT 22A is an active satellite operated by PLA GAD (China), launched on 2006-09-12 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China on the Feng Huo 2? launch. With over 20 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,827 km and 35,863 km with an inclination of 11.7°. It travels at approximately 11,062 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 CHINASAT 22A in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CHINASAT 22A 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 11.7°, 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 CHINASAT 22A’s average altitude, there are currently 108 active payloads and 53 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,340 active satellites in total, of which 9 share a similar altitude band with CHINASAT 22A.