Without a telescope
Not with the naked eyeIt needs binoculars or a telescope: magnitude +10.7 at its best, and the faintest stars the eye can see are about magnitude +6.
Satellites›Amateur radio satellites›SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50)
SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50)
SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) is an amateur radio satellite from Saudi Arabia, launched on December 20, 2002 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. It is in a low orbit, 571 to 666 km above the ground, and goes around the Earth every 97.1 minutes: 14.8 times a day, at 7.55 km/s (27,200 km/h).
Where SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) is right now
The gold ring is its orbit, and the line drops to the point on the ground under it. Inside the white circle it is above the horizon. Drag the globe to turn it, pinch or use the buttons to come closer; the target button brings you back to the satellite. The 2D map shows its path over the ground for the next lap: gold where it is in sunlight, dashed where it is in Earth’s shadow.
Finding SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50)…
SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50)
Finding SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50)…
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Can you see it?
From where
It passes straight overhead only between latitudes 65° north and 65° south, and rises above the horizon as far as about 88°. Nearer the poles than that it is never in the sky.
A satellite shows only when your sky is dark and it is still in sunlight: in the hours after dusk and before dawn.
When it passes over you
The app works out its passes over your exact location, alerts you before one, and leads you to it with an arrow in the camera view.
The facts
- Catalogue number (NORAD)
- 27607
- International designator
- 2002-058C
- Type
- Satellite
- Belongs to
- Saudi Arabia
- Launched
- December 20, 2002
- Launched from
- Baikonur, Kazakhstan
- Status
- Operational
- Orbit
- Low Earth orbit
- Lowest point
- 571 km
- Highest point
- 666 km
- Tilt to the equator
- 64.6°
- One lap
- 97.1 minutes
- Laps a day
- 14.83
- Speed
- 7.55 km/s
- At its brightest
- mag +10.7 estimated, overhead
- Standard brightness
- mag +11.9 from 1,000 km, half lit
- Size on radar
- 0.1 m²
Orbit measured November 13, 2026, from CelesTrak. Heights are above the ground at the equator. Page updated November 14, 2026.
Quick answers
Where is SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) right now?
The map on this page shows where SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) is at this moment, the path it will follow over the ground for the next lap, and the part of the Earth it is above the horizon for. It is worked out from the latest tracking data.
How high is SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50)?
Between 571 km at its lowest and 666 km at its highest, above the ground.
How fast does SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) go?
About 7.55 km/s, which is 27,200 km/h. One lap of the Earth takes it 97.1 minutes, so it goes around 14.8 times a day.
Can you see SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) without a telescope?
Not with the naked eye. It needs binoculars or a telescope: magnitude +10.7 at its best, and the faintest stars the eye can see are about magnitude +6.
When was SAUDISAT 1C (SO-50) launched?
On December 20, 2002, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
With the app
Knowing where it is over the Earth is one thing. The app shows you where it is in your sky.
This page follows the satellite around the planet. The app works out when it passes over you, and leads you to it.
- Every pass over your exact location, for this satellite and 10,000+ more.
- An alert before it rises, so you are outside in time.
- An arrow in the camera view that leads you to the exact spot in the sky.
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