INTELSAT 3-F4

INTELSAT 3-F4 is an active satellite operated by INTELSAT (ITSO), launched on 1969-05-22 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the INTELSAT III F-4 launch. After more than 57 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 38,821 km and 39,022 km with an inclination of 3.4°. It travels at approximately 10,680 km/h (2.97 km/s), completing one full orbit every 26.7 hours — that’s roughly 0.90 orbits per day. It is part of the Intelsat constellation group. At geostationary altitude, there is no meaningful atmospheric drag — this object will remain in orbit indefinitely unless actively deorbited. Orbital Radar tracks INTELSAT 3-F4 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

INTELSAT 3-F4 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 3.4°, 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 INTELSAT 3-F4’s average altitude, there are currently 2 active payloads and 0 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. ITSO operates approximately 91 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with INTELSAT 3-F4.