OPTUS D2

OPTUS D2 is an active satellite operated by Optus Communications (Parent: Singapore Telecom) (Australia), launched on 2007-10-05 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. After 19 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 36,038 km and 36,058 km with an inclination of 2.1°. It travels at approximately 11,035 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — 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 OPTUS D2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OPTUS D2 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 OPTUS D2’s average altitude, there are currently 94 active payloads and 26 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Australia operates approximately 41 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with OPTUS D2.