What satellites are typically launched to Geostationary Orbit?

Earth observation, remote sensing, and communications smallsats are commonly launched to Geostationary Orbit. CubeSats and SmallSats below 500kg are the most frequent payload types on rideshare missions to this orbit.

How do I find a rideshare slot to Geostationary Orbit?

Browse the launch windows listed on this page. Filter by rocket, provider, and schedule to find a rideshare mission matching your mission requirements. Each window shows available service offers with pricing.

What is the average cost to launch a 3U CubeSat to Geostationary Orbit?

CubeSat rideshare prices to Geostationary Orbit typically range from $5,000 to $12,000 for a 3U, depending on the provider and rocket. Compare current offers on KOSMOLAB SPACE for the latest pricing.

Orbit · DIRECT-GEO

Geostationary Orbit Launch Services

Browse 9 launch windows targeting Geostationary orbit. Compare rideshare slots, providers, and book your CubeSat deployment.

9 Launch windows

4 Rocket types

3 Providers

35,786 km Altitude / inclination

Geostationary Orbit (Direct GEO) places satellites at 35,786 km altitude directly in the equatorial plane, where they orbit at the same angular rate as Earth rotates — appearing stationary from the ground. This makes GEO the ideal arc for broadcast communications, weather imaging (GOES, Meteosat), and military tactical datalinks, where a fixed ground antenna can maintain continuous contact without tracking.

Direct GEO launches are served by the world's most capable launch vehicles: Ariane 5/6, SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, ULA Atlas V and Vulcan, and ISRO GSLV Mk III. Reaching GEO directly requires a more efficient upper stage (or an apogee kick motor on the spacecraft) compared to GTO missions, reducing transfer time and radiation exposure.

Commercial communications satellites, hosted payload operators, and government relay missions look to KOSMOLAB SPACE for an aggregated view of GEO rideshare and hosted payload opportunities. The listings below show current GEO-bound launch windows and available capacity by provider.