CTS

CTS is an active satellite operated by CRC (Canada), launched on 1976-01-17 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the CTS launch. After more than 50 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,718 km and 35,866 km with an inclination of 3.6°. It travels at approximately 11,069 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 CTS in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CTS 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 3.6°, 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 CTS’s average altitude, there are currently 735 active payloads and 59 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13. Canada operates approximately 75 active satellites in total, of which 14 share a similar altitude band with CTS.