INTELSAT 901

INTELSAT 901 is an active satellite operated by Intelsat S.A. (ITSO), launched on 2001-06-09 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 36,173 km and 36,223 km with an inclination of 1.3°. It travels at approximately 11,016 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.3 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 INTELSAT 901 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INTELSAT 901 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 1.3°, 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 INTELSAT 901’s average altitude, there are currently 110 active payloads and 16 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ITSO operates approximately 72 active satellites in total, of which 9 share a similar altitude band with INTELSAT 901.