EUTE 8A (SINOSAT 3)

EUTE 8A (SINOSAT 3) is an active satellite operated by Eutelsat, launched on 2007-05-31 from Xichang, China. After 19 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,273 km and 36,405 km with an inclination of 9.6°. It travels at approximately 10,998 km/h (3.05 km/s), completing one full orbit every 24.4 hours — that’s roughly 0.98 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 EUTE 8A (SINOSAT 3) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

EUTE 8A (SINOSAT 3) 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 9.6°, 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 EUTE 8A (SINOSAT 3)’s average altitude, there are currently 43 active payloads and 10 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eutelsat operates approximately 62 active satellites in total, of which 10 share a similar altitude band with EUTE 8A (SINOSAT 3).