Syncom 2 was the first geosynchronous satellite. Although the period was 24 hours and the spacecraft remained at a nearly constant longitude, the orbit was inclined at 33 degrees so it was not truly geostationary but moved in an elongated figure eight pattern 33 degrees north and south of the equator. July 26, 1963 at 14:33 UTC · Launch Successful Thor Delta B — United States Air Force, to Geosynchronous Orbit Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 264th orbital launch attempt, and 40th of 1963. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs.