HISPASAT 1A

HISPASAT 1A is an active satellite operated by Hispasat (Spain), launched on 1992-09-10 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 34 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,039 km and 36,073 km with an inclination of 14.2°. It travels at approximately 11,034 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 0.99 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 HISPASAT 1A in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

HISPASAT 1A 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 14.2°, 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 HISPASAT 1A’s average altitude, there are currently 105 active payloads and 23 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Spain operates approximately 53 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with HISPASAT 1A.