APSTAR 5 (TELSTAR 18)

APSTAR 5 (TELSTAR 18) is an active satellite operated by APT Satellite (China), launched on 2004-06-29 from Sea Launch (ocean platform). With over 22 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,120 km and 36,167 km with an inclination of 7.0°. It travels at approximately 11,023 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.2 hours — that’s roughly 0.99 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 APSTAR 5 (TELSTAR 18) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

APSTAR 5 (TELSTAR 18) 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 7.0°, 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 APSTAR 5 (TELSTAR 18)’s average altitude, there are currently 176 active payloads and 8 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 11 share a similar altitude band with APSTAR 5 (TELSTAR 18).