NSS 806 (INTELSAT 806)

NSS 806 (INTELSAT 806) is an active satellite operated by Intelsat (SES), launched on 1998-02-28 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With over 28 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,103 km and 36,147 km with an inclination of 7.1°. It travels at approximately 11,025 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 806 (INTELSAT 806) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

NSS 806 (INTELSAT 806) 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 7.1°, 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 NSS 806 (INTELSAT 806)’s average altitude, there are currently 192 active payloads and 6 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. SES operates approximately 77 active satellites in total, of which 21 share a similar altitude band with NSS 806 (INTELSAT 806).