EWS-G2 (GOES 15)

EWS-G2 (GOES 15) is an active satellite operated by NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) (United States), launched on 2010-03-04 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the GOES P launch. After 16 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,771 km and 35,804 km with an inclination of 1.6°. It travels at approximately 11,070 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.00 orbits per day. It is part of the Goes constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks EWS-G2 (GOES 15) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

EWS-G2 (GOES 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 1.6°, 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 EWS-G2 (GOES 15)’s average altitude, there are currently 730 active payloads and 60 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. United States operates approximately 13,340 active satellites in total, of which 154 share a similar altitude band with EWS-G2 (GOES 15).