METEOSAT 2 AKM (MAGE 1)

METEOSAT 2 AKM (MAGE 1) is a spent rocket body associated with ESA (European Space Agency), launched on 1981-06-19 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 45 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,731 km and 36,357 km with an inclination of 7.6°. It travels at approximately 11,036 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 0.99 orbits per day. It is part of the Weather constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Spent rocket bodies like METEOSAT 2 AKM (MAGE 1) are among the largest pieces of uncontrolled space debris and are priority targets for collision avoidance manoeuvres and future active debris removal efforts.

METEOSAT 2 AKM (MAGE 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 7.6°, 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 METEOSAT 2 AKM (MAGE 1)’s average altitude, there are currently 90 active payloads and 26 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ESA (European Space Agency) operates approximately 93 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with METEOSAT 2 AKM (MAGE 1).