The UK's military satellites
overhead24 follows 4 working satellites that GCAT classes as military and gives to the UK: 2 in geostationary orbit and 2 in other geosynchronous orbits. In the last 30 days the event log recorded 3 orbit changes and 1 approach involving its military satellites. On 21 October 2026 they were predicted to pass over the fighting in 2 conflict areas 3 times, most often over the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
By orbit
from each satellite's newest elements| In geostationary orbit | 2 |
| In other geosynchronous orbits | 2 |
By mission
GCAT categoriesOrbit changes
last 30 daysChanges in orbit size or tilt between two public element sets larger than that kind of orbit shows between updates: the satellite fired its engines.
- SKYNET 5A changed orbit: orbit lowered by 1.5 km8 Oct, 23:17 UTC
- SKYNET 5B changed orbit: orbit raised by 1.9 km26 Sept, 04:45 UTC
- SKYNET 5A changed orbit: orbit lowered by 1.5 km25 Sept, 14:51 UTC
Approaches
last 30 daysPairs in nearly the same orbit, one of them a military satellite, getting closer: the distance a day before and at the screening.
- OPTUS A1 (AUSSAT 1) is closing on SKYNET 4B: 683 km a day ago, 458 km now20 Oct, 04:54 UTC
Geostationary satellites
positions on 21 October 2026| Satellite | Longitude | Drift |
|---|---|---|
| SKYNET 5C | 17.7°W | stationed |
| SKYNET 5B | 25.2°E | stationed |
| SKYNET 5D | 52.7°E | stationed |
| SKYNET 5A | 95.0°E | stationed |
Over conflict areas, 21 October 2026
predicted passesHow often the UK's working military satellites pass over places where UCDP recorded fighting this year, in the UTC day. Arrows: the last 7 days against the 7 before.
Other countries
by working military satellites
Military class, mission and country: GCAT by Jonathan McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Working means CelesTrak lists it as operational, partly operational, backup, spare or on an extended mission, or it launched after CelesTrak's last list. Orbits, orbit changes, approaches and geostationary positions: worked out by overhead24 from Space-Track.org elements. Conflict areas: UCDP. See military satellites over conflict areas and how overhead24 works.