SKYNET 5C

MilitaryGEOEquatorialUnited Kingdom

SKYNET 5C 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 35,779 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 4.1°. It was launched in 2008. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 33055
COSPAR ID: 2008-030A
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,779 km
Apogee (highest): 35,808 km
Inclination: 4.10°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 2008
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.