STPSAT-6
NORAD 49817
Payload
GEO
2021-118A
● Active
CONNECTING…
GEO · NORAD 49817
NOW PASSING OVER
Calculating position…
—
Altitude (km)
—
Speed (km/s)
—
Latitude
—
Longitude
🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
35782 km
Apogee
35793 km
Inclination
0.3°
Period
1436.1 min
Mean Motion
1.00269401 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 05:00:00 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
🇺🇸 Atlas 5 (United States)
Launch Date
2021-12-07
Launch Site
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Int'l Designator
2021-118A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
STPSAT-6 is an active satellite operated by Atlas 5 (United States), launched on 2021-12-07 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,782 km and 35,793 km with an inclination of 0.3°. 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 STPSAT-6 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
STPSAT-6 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 STPSAT-6’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. United States operates approximately 12,339 active satellites in total, of which 146 share a similar altitude band with STPSAT-6.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
STPSAT-6 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.
STPSAT-6 is operated by Atlas 5 (United States). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 49817. You can track STPSAT-6 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
STPSAT-6 was launched on 2021-12-07 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 STPSAT-6 (NORAD ID 49817) 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.
STPSAT-6 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.