Types of Satellite Orbits
Where a satellite sits — and how fast it moves — is set by its orbit. Here are the main types in plain English, and you can see each one live on the globe behind you.
The numbers right now
Right now (as of August 5, 2026), AstroSat is tracking 16,492 active satellites in low Earth orbit, 549 in medium Earth orbit, and 1,394 in geostationary and higher orbits — out of 18,435 active satellites in total. Refreshed automatically from Space-Track every two hours.
The main orbit types
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
~160–2,000 km up. Fast — an orbit every ~90 minutes. Home to the ISS, Starlink and most Earth-observation satellites — over 16,000 active satellites fly here, the vast majority of everything in orbit.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
~2,000–35,000 km. An orbit takes hours. Where navigation constellations like GPS and Galileo live — around 550 active satellites.
Geostationary (GEO)
~35,786 km, over the equator. Orbits once per day, so it appears fixed in the sky — used by weather and TV satellites. Nearly 1,400 active satellites hold this orbit.
Highly Elliptical (HEO)
An egg-shaped orbit that lingers high over one hemisphere — used (e.g. Molniya) for coverage of high latitudes.
A satellite's altitude is a trade-off: lower orbits mean closer, sharper views and quicker passes but more drag and smaller coverage; higher orbits cover more of the Earth and last longer but are farther away. AstroSat lets you see these regimes side by side — watch a LEO satellite race past while a GEO satellite hangs almost still.
Frequently asked questions
What is low Earth orbit (LEO)?
The region from about 160 to 2,000 km up, where satellites circle the Earth roughly every 90 minutes. The ISS and Starlink are in LEO.
Why is the ISS in low orbit?
LEO keeps crew close to Earth for resupply and return, with strong communications and dramatic views — at the cost of frequent reboosts against atmospheric drag.
What orbit is GPS in?
GPS satellites orbit in medium Earth orbit (MEO), around 20,000 km up, completing an orbit roughly twice a day.
What is a geostationary orbit?
An orbit about 35,786 km over the equator where a satellite circles once per day, so it stays fixed above the same spot — ideal for weather and broadcast satellites.