HISPASAT 1C

HISPASAT 1C is an active satellite operated by Hispasat (Spain), launched on 2000-02-03 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With over 26 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,077 km and 36,099 km with an inclination of 8.4°. It travels at approximately 11,030 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 HISPASAT 1C in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

HISPASAT 1C 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 8.4°, 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 HISPASAT 1C’s average altitude, there are currently 153 active payloads and 10 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Spain operates approximately 53 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with HISPASAT 1C.