APSTAR 2R (TELSTAR 10)

APSTAR 2R (TELSTAR 10) is an active satellite operated by APT Satellite (China), launched on 1997-10-16 from Xichang, China. With over 29 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,048 km and 36,124 km with an inclination of 10.7°. 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 APSTAR 2R (TELSTAR 10) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

APSTAR 2R (TELSTAR 10) 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 10.7°, 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 APSTAR 2R (TELSTAR 10)’s average altitude, there are currently 148 active payloads and 11 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 12 share a similar altitude band with APSTAR 2R (TELSTAR 10).