ASTRA 1C

ASTRA 1C is an active satellite operated by SES S.A. (SES), launched on 1993-05-12 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 33 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,170 km and 36,216 km with an inclination of 12.8°. It travels at approximately 11,017 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.3 hours — 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 ASTRA 1C in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

ASTRA 1C 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 12.8°, 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 ASTRA 1C’s average altitude, there are currently 118 active payloads and 14 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. SES operates approximately 77 active satellites in total, of which 7 share a similar altitude band with ASTRA 1C.