ARABSAT 2A

ARABSAT 2A is an active satellite operated by Arabsat (Saudi Arabia), launched on 1996-07-09 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 30 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,068 km and 36,095 km with an inclination of 14.3°. It travels at approximately 11,031 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 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 ARABSAT 2A in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

ARABSAT 2A 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 14.3°, 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 ARABSAT 2A’s average altitude, there are currently 142 active payloads and 12 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Saudi Arabia operates approximately 15 active satellites in total.