NSS 5 (INTELSAT 803)

NSS 5 (INTELSAT 803) is an active satellite operated by Intelsat (Netherlands), launched on 1997-09-23 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 29 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,104 km and 36,133 km with an inclination of 10.5°. It travels at approximately 11,026 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 hours — that’s roughly 0.99 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 NSS 5 (INTELSAT 803) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

NSS 5 (INTELSAT 803) 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 10.5°, 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 NSS 5 (INTELSAT 803)’s average altitude, there are currently 187 active payloads and 8 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Netherlands operates approximately 7 active satellites in total.