METEOSAT 8 (MSG 1)

METEOSAT 8 (MSG 1) is an active satellite operated by EUMETSAT (European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) (Eumetsat), launched on 2002-08-28 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 24 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,405 km and 36,524 km with an inclination of 11.3°. It travels at approximately 10,982 km/h (3.05 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.5 hours — that’s roughly 0.98 orbits per day. It is part of the Weather constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks METEOSAT 8 (MSG 1) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

METEOSAT 8 (MSG 1) 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 METEOSAT 8 (MSG 1)’s average altitude, there are currently 10 active payloads and 25 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eumetsat operates approximately 10 active satellites in total.