ATHENA-FIDUS

ATHENA-FIDUS is an active satellite operated by Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)/Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) (FRIT), launched on 2014-02-06 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. After 12 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,781 km and 35,792 km with an inclination of 0.0°. It travels at approximately 11,070 km/h (3.07 km/s), completing one full orbit every ~24 hours (geosynchronous) — that’s roughly 1.00 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 ATHENA-FIDUS in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

ATHENA-FIDUS 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. Within ±50 km of ATHENA-FIDUS’s average altitude, there are currently 713 active payloads and 58 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ASTRA 1N, GOES 16, TDRS 13.