MSG 2 DEB (BAFFLE COVER)

MSG 2 DEB (BAFFLE COVER) is a tracked piece of space debris attributed to Eumetsat, launched on 2005-12-21 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou on the Insat 4A launch. With over 21 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,179 km and 35,312 km with an inclination of 12.6°. It travels at approximately 11,141 km/h (3.09 km/s), completing one full orbit every 23 hours 29 minutes — that’s roughly 1.02 orbits per day. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. As orbital debris, MSG 2 DEB (BAFFLE COVER) poses a potential collision risk to operational satellites in nearby orbits and is continuously monitored by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network and other tracking systems.

MSG 2 DEB (BAFFLE COVER) 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 12.6°, 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 MSG 2 DEB (BAFFLE COVER)’s average altitude, there are currently 3 active payloads and 14 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eumetsat operates approximately 10 active satellites in total.