MARECS B2

MARECS B2 is an active satellite operated by ESA (European Space Agency), launched on 1984-11-10 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 42 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,559 km and 37,541 km with an inclination of 13.5°. It travels at approximately 10,907 km/h (3.03 km/s), completing one full orbit every 25.0 hours — that’s roughly 0.96 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 MARECS B2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

MARECS B2 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 13.5°, 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 MARECS B2’s average altitude, there are currently 7 active payloads and 2 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ESA (European Space Agency) operates approximately 93 active satellites in total.