APSTAR 6

APSTAR 6 is an active satellite operated by APT Satellite (China), launched on 2005-04-12 from Xichang, China. With over 21 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,231 km and 36,309 km with an inclination of 7.4°. It travels at approximately 11,007 km/h (3.06 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.3 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 6 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

APSTAR 6 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 7.4°, 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 6’s average altitude, there are currently 53 active payloads and 12 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. China operates approximately 1,218 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with APSTAR 6.