KOREASAT 116
NORAD 45920
Payload
GEO
2020-048A
● Active
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GEO · NORAD 45920
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Altitude (km)
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Speed (km/s)
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Latitude
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Longitude
🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
35784 km
Apogee
35791 km
Inclination
0.0°
Period
1436.1 min
Mean Motion
1.00268251 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 01:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude35,788 km
Orbital Velocity11,070 km/h
Velocity3.07 km/s
Orbital Period~24 hours (geosynchronous)
Orbits / Day1.00
Eccentricity0.0001
Semi-Major Axis42,159 km
Est. Orbital LifetimePermanent — geostationary orbit, no atmospheric drag
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇰🇷 Agency for Defense Development (South Korea)
Launch Date
2020-07-20
Launch Site
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Int'l Designator
2020-048A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
KOREASAT 116 is an active satellite operated by Agency for Defense Development (South Korea), launched on 2020-07-20 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,784 km and 35,791 km with an inclination of 0.0°. 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 KOREASAT 116 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
KOREASAT 116 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. Within ±50 km of KOREASAT 116’s average altitude, there are currently 714 active payloads and 60 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. South Korea operates approximately 51 active satellites in total, of which 8 share a similar altitude band with KOREASAT 116.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
KOREASAT 116 orbits at approximately 35,788 km altitude, where the orbital period matches the Earth’s 24-hour rotation. This means it stays above the same point on the equator at all times. Its actual speed is still 11,070 km/h — it just keeps pace with the ground below. Learn more about geostationary orbits.
KOREASAT 116 is operated by Agency for Defense Development (South Korea). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 45920. You can track KOREASAT 116 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
KOREASAT 116 was launched on 2020-07-20 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, one of the busiest launch facilities in the world, operated by NASA and the U.S. Space Force on Florida’s Atlantic coast. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks KOREASAT 116 (NORAD ID 45920) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
KOREASAT 116 travels at approximately 11,070 km/h (6,878 mph) — roughly 3.07 km/s. Despite this high speed, it appears stationary from the ground because it matches the Earth’s rotation. Geostationary satellites are actually slower than LEO satellites because orbital velocity decreases with altitude.