MSG 4 DEB (COOLER COVER)

MSG 4 DEB (COOLER COVER) is a tracked piece of space debris attributed to Eumetsat, launched on 2015-07-15 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou on the Star One C4/MSG 4 launch. After 11 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,284 km and 35,584 km with an inclination of 7.1°. It travels at approximately 11,116 km/h (3.09 km/s), completing one full orbit every 23 hours 38 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 4 DEB (COOLER 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 4 DEB (COOLER 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 7.1°, 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 MSG 4 DEB (COOLER COVER)’s average altitude, there are currently 2 active payloads and 17 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. Eumetsat operates approximately 10 active satellites in total.