Satellites›Brightest satellites
The brightest satellites in the sky
These 154 satellites and spent rocket stages are the ones bright enough to notice without a telescope, in order of how bright each gets on a good pass. Only the two space stations outshine them.
Where they all are right now
Every dot is one of the bright satellites, where it is this second. Drag the globe to turn it, pinch or use the buttons to come closer. Fast forward runs a minute of their flight every second.
Finding the bright satellites…
All 154, with their orbits
Each name leads to that satellite’s page: what it is, its orbit in full, and a live 3D globe and map of where it is now.
| Satellite | Launched | Height | Tilt | One lap | At its brightest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ-2C rocket body (54039) | Oct 12, 2022 | 249 to 257 km | 97.3° | 89.6 min | mag +0.5 |
| Hubble Space Telescope | Apr 24, 1990 | 470 km | 28.5° | 94.0 min | mag +0.6 |
| CZ-2C rocket body (52794) | Jun 2, 2022 | 326 to 358 km | 50.2° | 91.4 min | mag +1.1 |
| ATLAS CENTAUR 2 | Nov 27, 1963 | 456 to 1,243 km | 30.4° | 101.9 min | mag +1.3 |
| CZ-4B rocket body (29507) | Oct 23, 2006 | 487 to 532 km | 97.5° | 94.8 min | mag +1.4 |
| TITAN 4B rocket body | Aug 17, 2000 | 508 to 559 km | 68.0° | 95.3 min | mag +1.5 |
| SL-3 rocket body (5118) | Apr 7, 1971 | 292 to 298 km | 81.2° | 90.4 min | mag +1.8 |
| COSMOS 1743 | May 15, 1986 | 307 to 313 km | 82.5° | 90.7 min | mag +1.9 |
| SL-16 rocket body (25861) | Jul 17, 1999 | 613 to 634 km | 98.0° | 97.2 min | mag +1.9 |
| SL-16 rocket body (23343) | Nov 4, 1994 | 625 to 636 km | 97.7° | 97.3 min | mag +2.0 |
| CZ-2D rocket body | Jul 5, 2005 | 280 to 285 km | 97.3° | 90.2 min | mag +2.2 |
| H-2A rocket body (38341) | May 17, 2012 | 549 to 608 km | 98.5° | 96.2 min | mag +2.2 |
| SL-8 rocket body (12139) | Jan 16, 1981 | 346 to 668 km | 82.9° | 94.8 min | mag +2.2 |
| SL-8 rocket body (20775) | Aug 28, 1990 | 346 to 811 km | 82.9° | 96.2 min | mag +2.2 |
| Terra | Dec 18, 1999 | 690 km | 97.9° | 98.5 min | mag +2.2 |
| COSMOS 1953 | Jun 14, 1988 | 464 to 477 km | 82.5° | 94.0 min | mag +2.3 |
| H-2A rocket body (27601) | Dec 14, 2002 | 728 to 829 km | 98.4° | 100.4 min | mag +2.3 |
| H-2A rocket body (28932) | Jan 24, 2006 | 472 to 540 km | 98.3° | 94.7 min | mag +2.4 |
| SL-8 rocket body (5730) | Dec 27, 1971 | 372 to 1,138 km | 73.9° | 99.9 min | mag +2.4 |
| MIDORI II (ADEOS-II) | Dec 14, 2002 | 794 km | 98.8° | 100.7 min | mag +2.5 |
| SL-16 rocket body (19120) | May 15, 1988 | 810 to 843 km | 71.0° | 101.4 min | mag +2.5 |
| SL-16 rocket body (25400) | Jul 10, 1998 | 797 to 812 km | 98.9° | 101.0 min | mag +2.5 |
| ALOS (DAICHI) | Jan 24, 2006 | 660 km | 98.2° | 97.9 min | mag +2.6 |
| RESURS-DK 1 | Jun 15, 2006 | 525 km | 69.9° | 95.1 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-3 rocket body (12465) | May 19, 1981 | 415 to 436 km | 81.2° | 93.1 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-3 rocket body (14208) | Jul 24, 1983 | 423 to 451 km | 97.6° | 93.3 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (19650) | Nov 23, 1988 | 828 to 849 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (20625) | May 22, 1990 | 830 to 854 km | 71.0° | 101.8 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (22220) | Nov 17, 1992 | 828 to 843 km | 71.0° | 101.6 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (22285) | Dec 25, 1992 | 841 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (22566) | Mar 26, 1993 | 832 to 850 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (22803) | Sep 16, 1993 | 822 to 847 km | 71.0° | 101.6 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (23088) | Apr 23, 1994 | 842 km | 71.0° | 101.8 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (23405) | Nov 24, 1994 | 841 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (23705) | Oct 31, 1995 | 833 to 848 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (24298) | Sep 4, 1996 | 840 to 861 km | 70.8° | 101.9 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (25407) | Jul 28, 1998 | 833 to 844 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (26070) | Feb 3, 2000 | 828 to 851 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (28353) | Jun 10, 2004 | 844 km | 71.0° | 101.8 min | mag +2.6 |
| SL-16 rocket body (31793) | Jun 29, 2007 | 843 km | 71.0° | 101.8 min | mag +2.6 |
| CZ-8A rocket body | Oct 16, 2025 | 707 to 875 km | 50.0° | 100.7 min | mag +2.7 |
| COSMO-SKYMED 1 | Jun 8, 2007 | 574 km | 97.9° | 96.2 min | mag +2.8 |
| COSMOS 1975 | Oct 11, 1988 | 465 to 481 km | 82.5° | 94.1 min | mag +2.8 |
| COSMOS 2221 | Nov 24, 1992 | 566 to 587 km | 82.5° | 96.2 min | mag +2.8 |
| CZ-4B rocket body (28415) | Sep 8, 2004 | 448 to 489 km | 97.3° | 94.0 min | mag +2.8 |
| Seasat | Jun 27, 1978 | 738 km | 108.0° | 99.6 min | mag +2.8 |
| COSMOS 1536 | Feb 8, 1984 | 476 to 497 km | 82.5° | 94.3 min | mag +2.9 |
| SL-3 rocket body (12904) | Oct 13, 1981 | 487 to 505 km | 81.2° | 94.5 min | mag +2.9 |
| SL-3 rocket body (13068) | Feb 19, 1982 | 479 to 511 km | 81.2° | 94.5 min | mag +2.9 |
| SL-3 rocket body (13403) | Aug 5, 1982 | 468 to 502 km | 81.1° | 94.3 min | mag +2.9 |
| SL-3 rocket body (19046) | Apr 20, 1988 | 482 to 519 km | 97.5° | 94.6 min | mag +2.9 |
| CZ-2C rocket body (31114) | Apr 11, 2007 | 783 to 866 km | 98.4° | 101.4 min | mag +3.0 |
| DELTA 2 rocket body | Jul 25, 1999 | 490 to 1,213 km | 51.8° | 102.0 min | mag +3.0 |
| IDEFIX & ARIANE 42P rocket body | May 4, 2002 | 780 to 796 km | 98.6° | 100.6 min | mag +3.0 |
| OKEAN-O | Jul 17, 1999 | 628 km | 97.9° | 97.3 min | mag +3.0 |
| SL-3 rocket body (13819) | Feb 16, 1983 | 399 to 417 km | 81.1° | 92.7 min | mag +3.0 |
| COSMOS 2058 | Jan 30, 1990 | 522 to 534 km | 82.5° | 95.2 min | mag +3.1 |
| COSMOS 2428 | Jun 29, 2007 | 840 to 858 km | 70.9° | 101.9 min | mag +3.1 |
| SL-3 rocket body (10114) | Jun 29, 1977 | 409 to 420 km | 97.6° | 92.9 min | mag +3.1 |
| SL-16 rocket body (16182) | Oct 22, 1985 | 830 to 844 km | 71.0° | 101.7 min | mag +3.1 |
| SL-16 rocket body (17590) | Mar 18, 1987 | 835 km | 71.0° | 101.6 min | mag +3.1 |
| COSMOS 2151 | Jun 13, 1991 | 557 to 572 km | 82.5° | 95.9 min | mag +3.2 |
| COSMOS 2228 | Dec 25, 1992 | 561 to 585 km | 82.5° | 96.1 min | mag +3.2 |
| CZ-2C rocket body (28480) | Nov 18, 2004 | 701 to 902 km | 98.2° | 100.9 min | mag +3.2 |
| INTERCOSMOS 25 | Dec 18, 1991 | 438 to 2,813 km | 82.6° | 118.8 min | mag +3.2 |
| COSMOS 2242 | Apr 16, 1993 | 564 to 586 km | 82.5° | 96.2 min | mag +3.3 |
| COSMOS 2550 | Jun 25, 2021 | 459 to 470 km | 67.1° | 93.9 min | mag +3.3 |
| SL-14 rocket body (11672) | Jan 23, 1980 | 583 to 606 km | 82.5° | 96.6 min | mag +3.3 |
| ARIANE 40 rocket body (21610) | Jul 17, 1991 | 749 km | 98.2° | 99.8 min | mag +3.4 |
| ARIANE 40+ rocket body | Apr 21, 1995 | 753 to 764 km | 98.4° | 100.0 min | mag +3.4 |
| ATLAS CENTAUR rocket body | Aug 21, 1972 | 611 to 659 km | 35.0° | 97.4 min | mag +3.4 |
| Envisat | Mar 1, 2002 | 762 km | 98.4° | 100.1 min | mag +3.4 |
| SL-14 rocket body (19574) | Oct 11, 1988 | 598 to 624 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.4 |
| SL-14 rocket body (20466) | Jan 30, 1990 | 604 to 631 km | 82.5° | 97.1 min | mag +3.4 |
| SL-14 rocket body (20511) | Feb 28, 1990 | 611 to 633 km | 82.5° | 97.1 min | mag +3.4 |
| COSMOS 1933 | Mar 15, 1988 | 503 to 511 km | 82.5° | 94.8 min | mag +3.5 |
| CZ-4B rocket body (27432) | May 15, 2002 | 807 to 880 km | 98.9° | 101.8 min | mag +3.5 |
| SL-3 rocket body (877) | Aug 28, 1964 | 638 to 739 km | 65.1° | 98.5 min | mag +3.5 |
| SL-3 rocket body (13154) | May 5, 1982 | 511 to 554 km | 81.2° | 95.3 min | mag +3.5 |
| SL-6 rocket body (2) | Jun 21, 1990 | 509 to 597 km | 62.8° | 95.7 min | mag +3.5 |
| COSMOS 2084 | Jun 21, 1990 | 528 to 565 km | 62.8° | 95.6 min | mag +3.6 |
| COSMOS 2219 | Nov 17, 1992 | 832 to 858 km | 71.1° | 101.8 min | mag +3.6 |
| OKEAN-3 | Jun 4, 1991 | 540 to 558 km | 82.5° | 95.6 min | mag +3.7 |
| SL-14 rocket body (16496) | Jan 17, 1986 | 554 to 661 km | 82.5° | 96.8 min | mag +3.7 |
| ASTEX 1 | Oct 17, 1971 | 712 to 733 km | 92.7° | 99.2 min | mag +3.8 |
| SL-8 rocket body (11574) | Oct 11, 1979 | 740 to 761 km | 74.1° | 99.8 min | mag +3.8 |
| SL-14 rocket body (11267) | Feb 12, 1979 | 581 to 602 km | 82.5° | 96.5 min | mag +3.8 |
| ARIANE 40 rocket body (20443) | Jan 22, 1990 | 751 to 766 km | 98.3° | 100.0 min | mag +3.9 |
| ARIANE 40 rocket body (22830) | Sep 26, 1993 | 775 to 789 km | 98.5° | 100.5 min | mag +3.9 |
| COSMOS 1867 | Jul 10, 1987 | 773 to 801 km | 65.0° | 100.6 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (13553) | Sep 16, 1982 | 594 to 622 km | 82.6° | 96.8 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (14820) | Mar 15, 1984 | 598 to 622 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (15945) | Aug 8, 1985 | 594 to 623 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (16792) | Jun 12, 1986 | 594 to 628 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (16882) | Jul 28, 1986 | 599 to 623 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (17567) | Mar 3, 1987 | 596 to 623 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (17912) | Apr 27, 1987 | 598 to 626 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (18153) | Jul 1, 1987 | 598 to 624 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (18749) | Jan 6, 1988 | 598 to 625 km | 82.5° | 96.9 min | mag +3.9 |
| SL-14 rocket body (21423) | Jun 13, 1991 | 611 to 636 km | 82.5° | 97.2 min | mag +3.9 |
| THOR AGENA D rocket body | Jan 19, 1964 | 755 to 801 km | 99.1° | 100.4 min | mag +3.9 |
| CZ-4B rocket body (25732) | May 10, 1999 | 804 to 858 km | 98.6° | 101.5 min | mag +4.0 |
| INTERCOSMOS 24 | Sep 28, 1989 | 497 to 2,351 km | 82.6° | 114.3 min | mag +4.0 |
| SL-12 rocket body (2) | May 30, 1985 | 795 to 842 km | 71.1° | 101.3 min | mag +4.0 |
| COSMOS 1844 | May 13, 1987 | 822 to 866 km | 70.9° | 101.8 min | mag +4.1 |
| COSMOS 2278 | Apr 23, 1994 | 838 to 851 km | 71.1° | 101.8 min | mag +4.1 |
| CZ-4B rocket body (28059) | Oct 21, 2003 | 675 to 743 km | 98.7° | 99.0 min | mag +4.1 |
| DELTA 1 rocket body | Nov 18, 1989 | 673 to 773 km | 97.1° | 99.3 min | mag +4.1 |
| SL-8 rocket body (3230) | May 7, 1968 | 536 to 571 km | 74.0° | 95.7 min | mag +4.1 |
| Aqua | May 4, 2002 | 686 km | 98.4° | 98.5 min | mag +4.2 |
| SL-8 rocket body (2802) | May 15, 1967 | 694 to 786 km | 74.0° | 99.6 min | mag +4.2 |
| SL-8 rocket body (15483) | Jan 17, 1985 | 753 to 778 km | 74.0° | 100.1 min | mag +4.4 |
| SL-8 rocket body (19257) | Jun 21, 1988 | 748 to 775 km | 74.0° | 100.1 min | mag +4.4 |
| SL-8 rocket body (21088) | Jan 29, 1991 | 955 to 990 km | 82.9° | 104.5 min | mag +4.4 |
| SL-8 rocket body (21938) | Apr 15, 1992 | 959 to 1,000 km | 82.9° | 104.7 min | mag +4.4 |
| SL-14 rocket body (20262) | Sep 28, 1989 | 498 to 2,426 km | 82.6° | 115.1 min | mag +4.5 |
| USA 81 | Apr 25, 1992 | 784 km | 85.0° | 100.5 min | mag +4.5 |
| COSMOS 1833 | Mar 18, 1987 | 832 to 866 km | 70.9° | 101.9 min | mag +4.6 |
| OAO 3 (COPERNICUS) | Aug 21, 1972 | 688 to 697 km | 35.0° | 98.6 min | mag +4.7 |
| SL-4 rocket body | Apr 16, 2014 | 374 to 487 km | 51.6° | 93.2 min | mag +4.7 |
| ERS-1 | Jul 17, 1991 | 737 to 783 km | 98.8° | 100.0 min | mag +4.8 |
| HELIOS 1B | Dec 3, 1999 | 603 km | 98.2° | 96.8 min | mag +4.9 |
| SL-8 rocket body (8459) | Nov 28, 1975 | 752 to 776 km | 74.1° | 100.1 min | mag +4.9 |
| SL-8 rocket body (21876) | Feb 17, 1992 | 952 to 1,004 km | 82.9° | 104.7 min | mag +4.9 |
| ARIANE 5 rocket body | Dec 18, 2004 | 554 to 669 km | 98.3° | 96.9 min | mag +5.0 |
| Ajisai | Aug 12, 1986 | 1,488 km | 50.0° | 115.7 min | mag +5.3 |
| OAO 2 | Dec 7, 1968 | 734 km | 35.0° | 99.5 min | mag +5.3 |
| H-2A rocket body (43682) | Oct 29, 2018 | 401 to 425 km | 98.8° | 92.8 min | mag +5.7 |
| CZ-2C rocket body (37731) | Jul 6, 2011 | 588 to 659 km | 97.9° | 97.2 min | mag +5.8 |
| SHIJIAN-16 (SJ-16) | Oct 25, 2013 | 577 to 601 km | 75.0° | 96.5 min | mag +5.8 |
| ASTRO-H (HITOMI) | Feb 17, 2016 | 526 to 540 km | 31.0° | 95.3 min | mag +5.9 |
| KORONAS-FOTON | Jan 30, 2009 | 414 to 426 km | 82.4° | 93.0 min | mag +5.9 |
| SERT 2 | Feb 4, 1970 | 1,040 km | 99.3° | 106.0 min | mag +6.1 |
| GSLV rocket body | Oct 22, 2022 | 560 to 588 km | 87.4° | 96.1 min | mag +6.4 |
| YAOGAN-29 | Nov 26, 2015 | 619 km | 98.0° | 97.1 min | mag +6.6 |
| ALOS-2 | May 24, 2014 | 631 km | 97.9° | 97.3 min | mag +6.8 |
| ISIS 1 | Jan 30, 1969 | 577 to 3,439 km | 88.4° | 127.4 min | mag +7.3 |
| ORBVIEW 2 (SEASTAR) | Aug 1, 1997 | 773 km | 98.9° | 100.3 min | mag +7.6 |
| ACS3 solar sail | Apr 23, 2024 | 825 to 963 km | 97.3° | 102.9 min | |
| BIOMASS | Apr 29, 2025 | 669 km | 98.1° | 98.1 min | |
| HXMT (HUIYAN) | Jun 15, 2017 | 486 to 529 km | 43.0° | 94.8 min | |
| SAOCOM 1A | Oct 8, 2018 | 623 km | 97.9° | 97.2 min | |
| SAOCOM 1B | Aug 30, 2020 | 623 km | 97.9° | 97.2 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-001 | Sep 12, 2024 | 501 to 510 km | 53.0° | 94.7 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-002 | Sep 12, 2024 | 500 to 510 km | 53.0° | 94.7 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-003 | Sep 12, 2024 | 505 km | 53.0° | 94.7 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-004 | Sep 12, 2024 | 501 to 509 km | 53.0° | 94.7 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-005 | Sep 12, 2024 | 499 to 511 km | 53.0° | 94.7 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-006 | Dec 24, 2025 | 502 to 515 km | 53.0° | 94.8 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-008 | Jun 17, 2026 | 523 to 530 km | 53.0° | 95.2 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-009 | Jun 17, 2026 | 523 to 531 km | 53.0° | 95.2 min | |
| SPACEMOBILE-010 | Jun 17, 2026 | 524 to 531 km | 53.0° | 95.2 min | |
| SZ-21 MODULE | Oct 31, 2025 | 274 to 291 km | 41.5° | 90.2 min | |
| XRISM | Sep 6, 2023 | 520 to 531 km | 31.0° | 95.1 min |
Reading the brightness
“At its brightest” is an estimate for a pass straight overhead. Magnitudes run backwards: lower is brighter. The brightest stars are about magnitude 0, the stars of the Big Dipper about +2, and +6 is the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. A satellite low on the horizon, or a tumbling rocket stage, can be a good deal fainter than its best.
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.
- Starlink trains, Tiangong, Hubble and the brightest satellites of tonight.
Other satellites
2
Space stations
The two crewed stations in orbit, and what is docked to them today.
11,192Starlink
How many are up, where they fly, and what went up this month.
73Weather satellites
The satellites behind the forecast, in low orbit and over the equator.
546Geostationary satellites
The ring of satellites that hang over one spot, in order around the Earth.
95Amateur radio satellites
The satellites radio amateurs talk through.
80Iridium
The satellite phone network that once made the famous flares.
654OneWeb
The other internet constellation, in a much higher orbit.
206New in orbit
Everything launched in the last thirty days.
From CelesTrak’s orbit data and satellite catalogue, which lists launches up to November 11, 2026. Page updated November 14, 2026.