TURKSAT 2A

TURKSAT 2A is an active satellite operated by Türksat (Turkey), launched on 2001-01-10 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 25 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,334 km and 36,417 km with an inclination of 9.0°. It travels at approximately 10,993 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 TURKSAT 2A in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

TURKSAT 2A 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 9.0°, 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 TURKSAT 2A’s average altitude, there are currently 28 active payloads and 14 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Turkey operates approximately 41 active satellites in total.