MOLNIYA 1-S

MOLNIYA 1-S is an active satellite operated by GUKOS RVSN (Russia (CIS)), launched on 1974-07-29 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on the Molniya-1 11F658 No. 38 launch. After more than 52 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,763 km and 35,838 km with an inclination of 1.1°. It travels at approximately 11,068 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 MOLNIYA 1-S in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

MOLNIYA 1-S 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 1.1°, 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 MOLNIYA 1-S’s average altitude, there are currently 737 active payloads and 64 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. Russia (CIS) operates approximately 1,553 active satellites in total, of which 128 share a similar altitude band with MOLNIYA 1-S.