EUTE 172B
NORAD 42741
Payload
GEO
2017-029B
● Active
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GEO · NORAD 42741
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Altitude (km)
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Speed (km/s)
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Latitude
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Longitude
🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
35787 km
Apogee
35787 km
Inclination
0.0°
Period
1436.1 min
Mean Motion
1.00270537 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 05:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude35,787 km
Orbital Velocity11,070 km/h
Velocity3.07 km/s
Orbital Period~24 hours (geosynchronous)
Orbits / Day1.00
Eccentricity0.0000
Semi-Major Axis42,158 km
Est. Orbital LifetimePermanent — geostationary orbit, no atmospheric drag
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
EUTELSAT S.A. (Eutelsat)
Launch Date
2017-06-01
Launch Site
Guiana Space Centre, Kourou
Int'l Designator
2017-029B
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
EUTE 172B is an active satellite operated by EUTELSAT S.A. (Eutelsat), launched on 2017-06-01 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,787 km and 35,787 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 EUTE 172B in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
EUTE 172B 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 EUTE 172B’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. Eutelsat operates approximately 62 active satellites in total, of which 28 share a similar altitude band with EUTE 172B.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
EUTE 172B orbits at approximately 35,787 km altitude, where the orbital period matches the Earth’s 24-hour rotation. This means it stays above the same point on the equator at all times. Its actual speed is still 11,070 km/h — it just keeps pace with the ground below. Learn more about geostationary orbits.
EUTE 172B is operated by EUTELSAT S.A. (Eutelsat). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 42741. You can track EUTE 172B in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
EUTE 172B was launched on 2017-06-01 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, the European spaceport in French Guiana, chosen for its equatorial location which provides an energy-efficient boost for orbital insertions. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks EUTE 172B (NORAD ID 42741) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
EUTE 172B travels at approximately 11,070 km/h (6,878 mph) — roughly 3.07 km/s. Despite this high speed, it appears stationary from the ground because it matches the Earth’s rotation. Geostationary satellites are actually slower than LEO satellites because orbital velocity decreases with altitude.