INTELSAT 601

INTELSAT 601 is an active satellite operated by Intelsat (ITSO), launched on 1991-10-29 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 35 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,972 km and 35,986 km with an inclination of 13.4°. It travels at approximately 11,044 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.00 orbits per day. It is part of the Intelsat constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks INTELSAT 601 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INTELSAT 601 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 INTELSAT 601’s average altitude, there are currently 49 active payloads and 26 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ITSO operates approximately 72 active satellites in total, of which 6 share a similar altitude band with INTELSAT 601.