SKYNET 5A

MilitaryGEOUnited Kingdom

SKYNET 5A is a military satellite, as listed in Jonathan McDowell's GCAT catalogue, with ownership listed as United Kingdom in CelesTrak's catalogue, currently in a geostationary orbit about 35,778 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 5.6°. It was launched in 2007. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 30794
COSPAR ID: 2007-007B
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,778 km
Apogee (highest): 35,810 km
Inclination: 5.61°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 2007
Owner (CelesTrak): United Kingdom

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

Who operates it

United KingdomLIVEActive

Communications

Independent assessment

GCAT classes it as a military satellite for communications and records it as active (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.

Military satellites, counted and explained →

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.