CHINASAT 9A

CHINASAT 9A is an active satellite operated by China Satellite Communications (China), launched on 2017-06-18 from Xichang, China. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,906 km and 35,943 km with an inclination of 5.0°. It travels at approximately 11,052 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 9A in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CHINASAT 9A 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 5.0°, 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 9A’s average altitude, there are currently 60 active payloads and 16 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 4 share a similar altitude band with CHINASAT 9A.