COMS 1

COMS 1 is an active satellite operated by Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) (South Korea), launched on 2010-06-26 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. After 16 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,051 km and 36,149 km with an inclination of 4.8°. It travels at approximately 11,029 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 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 COMS 1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

COMS 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 4.8°, 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. Within ±50 km of COMS 1’s average altitude, there are currently 174 active payloads and 8 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. South Korea operates approximately 51 active satellites in total.