INTELSAT 9 (PAS 9)

INTELSAT 9 (PAS 9) is an active satellite operated by PanAmSat (Intelsat S.A.) (United States), launched on 2000-07-28 from Sea Launch (ocean platform). With over 26 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,029 km and 36,033 km with an inclination of 10.4°. It travels at approximately 11,038 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — 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 INTELSAT 9 (PAS 9) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INTELSAT 9 (PAS 9) 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 10.4°, 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 INTELSAT 9 (PAS 9)’s average altitude, there are currently 71 active payloads and 29 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. United States operates approximately 12,360 active satellites in total, of which 14 share a similar altitude band with INTELSAT 9 (PAS 9).