OPTUS A2 (AUSSAT 2)

OPTUS A2 (AUSSAT 2) is an active satellite operated by Optus (Australia), launched on 1985-11-27 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With over 41 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,865 km and 35,898 km with an inclination of 13.4°. It travels at approximately 11,057 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 OPTUS A2 (AUSSAT 2) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPTUS A2 (AUSSAT 2) 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 13.4°, 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 OPTUS A2 (AUSSAT 2)’s average altitude, there are currently 63 active payloads and 28 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Australia operates approximately 41 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with OPTUS A2 (AUSSAT 2).