ARABSAT 1DR (TELSTAR 3A)

ARABSAT 1DR (TELSTAR 3A) is an active satellite operated by Arabsat (Saudi Arabia), launched on 1983-07-28 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With over 43 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,891 km and 36,102 km with an inclination of 13.8°. It travels at approximately 11,042 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.00 orbits per day. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks ARABSAT 1DR (TELSTAR 3A) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

ARABSAT 1DR (TELSTAR 3A) occupies geostationary orbit at approximately 35,786 km above the equator, where its orbital period matches the Earth’s 24-hour rotation. From the ground, it appears to hover over a fixed point — ideal for broadcast television, weather monitoring and wideband communications. With an inclination of 13.8°, it traces a small figure-of-eight pattern relative to the equator rather than remaining perfectly stationary, which can indicate aging stationkeeping fuel or a deliberate inclined-orbit strategy. Within ±50 km of ARABSAT 1DR (TELSTAR 3A)’s average altitude, there are currently 57 active payloads and 29 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Saudi Arabia operates approximately 15 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with ARABSAT 1DR (TELSTAR 3A).