EUTE 16B (HB 4)

EUTE 16B (HB 4) is an active satellite operated by Eutelsat, launched on 1998-02-27 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 28 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,335 km and 36,375 km with an inclination of 11.1°. It travels at approximately 10,996 km/h (3.05 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.4 hours — that’s roughly 0.98 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 EUTE 16B (HB 4) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

EUTE 16B (HB 4) 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 11.1°, 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 EUTE 16B (HB 4)’s average altitude, there are currently 38 active payloads and 11 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eutelsat operates approximately 62 active satellites in total, of which 10 share a similar altitude band with EUTE 16B (HB 4).