OLYMPUS 1

OLYMPUS 1 is an active satellite operated by ESA (European Space Agency), launched on 1989-07-12 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 37 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,428 km and 35,537 km with an inclination of 12.2°. It travels at approximately 11,110 km/h (3.09 km/s), completing one full orbit every 23 hours 41 minutes — that’s roughly 1.01 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 OLYMPUS 1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OLYMPUS 1 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 12.2°, 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 OLYMPUS 1’s average altitude, there are currently 3 active payloads and 28 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ESA (European Space Agency) operates approximately 93 active satellites in total.