FLTSATCOM 8 (USA 46)

MilitaryGEOUnited States

FLTSATCOM 8 (USA 46) is a military satellite, as listed in Jonathan McDowell's GCAT catalogue, with ownership listed as United States in CelesTrak's catalogue, currently in a geostationary orbit about 35,770 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 12.4°. It was launched in 1989. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 20253
COSPAR ID: 1989-077A
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,770 km
Apogee (highest): 35,814 km
Inclination: 12.39°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 1989
Owner (CelesTrak): United States

Orbital data updated: 2026-10-18 · from CelesTrak, refreshed every 2 hours.

Who operates it

United StatesLIVEMission ended about 2000, still transmitting

Communications

GCAT lists it as FLTSATCOM F8.

Independent assessment

GCAT classes it as a military satellite for communications and records its mission as ended in about 2000, though it still transmits (17 Oct 2026).

Data: GCAT · CC BY 4.0 Class, mission and status adapted from GCAT by Jonathan McDowell, CC BY 4.0, data update 17 Oct 2026.

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About GEO orbit

Geostationary Orbit. Exactly 35,786 km above the equator. Satellites here orbit at the same rate Earth rotates, so they appear stationary in the sky. Used for TV, weather, and communications.