HOTBIRD 13F
NORAD 54048
Payload
GEO
2022-134A
● Active
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GEO · NORAD 54048
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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
35778 km
Apogee
35796 km
Inclination
0.1°
Period
1436.1 min
Mean Motion
1.00271574 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 06:00:00 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
Eccentricity0.0002
Semi-Major Axis42,158 km
Est. Orbital LifetimePermanent — geostationary orbit, no atmospheric drag
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
EUTELSAT S.A. (Eutelsat)
Launch Date
2022-10-15
Launch Site
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Int'l Designator
2022-134A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
HOTBIRD 13F is an active satellite operated by EUTELSAT S.A. (Eutelsat), launched on 2022-10-15 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It orbits in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at altitudes between 35,778 km and 35,796 km with an inclination of 0.1°. 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 HOTBIRD 13F in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
HOTBIRD 13F 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 HOTBIRD 13F’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 HOTBIRD 13F.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
HOTBIRD 13F 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.
HOTBIRD 13F is operated by EUTELSAT S.A. (Eutelsat). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 54048. You can track HOTBIRD 13F in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
HOTBIRD 13F was launched on 2022-10-15 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, one of the busiest launch facilities in the world, operated by NASA and the U.S. Space Force on Florida’s Atlantic coast. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks HOTBIRD 13F (NORAD ID 54048) 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.
HOTBIRD 13F 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.