BD-17

BD-17 is an active satellite operated by Chinese Ministry of National Defense (China), launched on 2015-03-30 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China on the Beidou I1-S launch. After 11 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,625 km and 35,945 km with an inclination of 48.9°. 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. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks BD-17 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

BD-17 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 48.9°, 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 BD-17’s average altitude, there are currently 731 active payloads and 57 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. China operates approximately 1,340 active satellites in total, of which 106 share a similar altitude band with BD-17.