NTS-3

NTS-3 is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 2025-08-13 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. As a relatively recent addition to the catalogue, its orbital elements are well-characterised. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,685 km and 35,694 km with an inclination of 3.1°. It travels at approximately 11,082 km/h (3.08 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.02 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 NTS-3 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

NTS-3 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 3.1°, 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 NTS-3’s average altitude, there are currently 12 active payloads and 32 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 12,262 active satellites in total, of which 5 share a similar altitude band with NTS-3.