EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13E

EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13E is an active satellite operated by Hisdesat/Ministry of Defense (Eutelsat), launched on 2006-03-11 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 20 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,372 km and 36,432 km with an inclination of 2.1°. It travels at approximately 10,990 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 Eutelsat constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13E in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13E 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 2.1°, 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 EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13E’s average altitude, there are currently 21 active payloads and 19 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eutelsat operates approximately 62 active satellites in total, of which 5 share a similar altitude band with EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13E.