EUROBIRD 4A(EUTELSAT W1)

EUROBIRD 4A(EUTELSAT W1) is an active satellite operated by Eutelsat (Eutelsat), launched on 2000-09-06 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 26 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,343 km and 36,422 km with an inclination of 11.3°. It travels at approximately 10,992 km/h (3.05 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.4 hours — that’s roughly 0.98 orbits per day. It is part of the Eutelsat constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks EUROBIRD 4A(EUTELSAT W1) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

EUROBIRD 4A(EUTELSAT W1) 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 11.3°, 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 EUROBIRD 4A(EUTELSAT W1)’s average altitude, there are currently 27 active payloads and 16 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eutelsat operates approximately 62 active satellites in total, of which 7 share a similar altitude band with EUROBIRD 4A(EUTELSAT W1).