Reentry
What happens when space objects come home: the fiery physics of returning from orbit and why predicting where debris lands is so difficult
EUROBIRD 4A (26487)
COSPAR: 2000-052A | Alt Name: Eutelsat W1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 6, 2000
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44P
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26487
International Designator
2000-052A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:33:54 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
11.37°
Right Ascension
45.89°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
299.49°
Period
1466.70 min
Mean Motion
0.98 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
EUROBIRD 4A
Alternative Name
Eutelsat W1
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
EUTEL
Country
EUTELSAT
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26487U 00052A 26185.23187740 -.00000023 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 26487 11.3727 45.8937 0008313 299.4886 69.4927 0.98179360 93357
Source: Celestrak
Summary
EUROBIRD 4A (also known as Eutelsat W1) is a communication satellite with a NORAD catalogue ID of 26487 and an object ID of 2000-052A. It was launched on September 6, 2000, from the ELA2 launch pad at Kourou (FRGUI), French Guiana using an Ariane 44P launch vehicle. The satellite's manufacturer is ASTT and it is owned by EUTEL. Its configuration follows the Eurostar-2000+ bus design with dimensions of 5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 31.7 meters due to its solar arrays. It has a dry mass of 1430 kg and was launched with a total mass of 3250 kg. EUROBIRD 4A is equipped with 28 Ku-band transponders for communication purposes, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's propulsion system includes R-4D-11-300 motors. Its mission is to provide communication services with a projected lifetime of 12 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
2.5
Span
31.7
Dry Mass
1430
Launch Mass
3250
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.654
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Eutelsat W1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ASTT
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
Eurostar 2000+
Configuration
Eurostar-2000+
Motor
R-4D-11-300
Equipment
28 Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Force Cancels OCX GPS Ground System, Space Brief 21 Apr 2026
Space Force cancels the OCX GPS ground system after RTX failures and stands up a cislunar task force. SpaceX launches the 10th and final GPS III.
X Report 18 Jul 2025
Elon Musk provided updates on the anticipated Starship Flight 10, along with insights on SpaceX's progress at Cape Canaveral. Key developments include target timelines for upcoming launches and ongoing efforts in Starship's development.
X Report 3 Jun 2025
SpaceX gears up for an exciting week with multiple launches, including a crewed mission and the rescheduled Starlink delivery. Meanwhile, ULA faces criticism from the Space Force over delays in its Vulcan rocket program.
SpaceX and xAI Tapped for Pentagon's $100M Drone Contest | KeepTrack X Report
Pentagon selects SpaceX and xAI for $100M autonomous drone competition. Two Falcon 9 rockets launch Starlink sats from California and Florida. 11,215 total Starlink satellites launched.
SDA Awards $3.5B Tracking Layer Contracts to Lockheed, Rocket Lab | KeepTrack Space Brief
SDA awards $3.5B in contracts for 72 Tracking Layer satellites to Lockheed Martin and Rocket Lab. Terran Orbital selected for satellite bus production. Israel eyes 2026 defense growth.
Crew-12 Set for Launch, Starlink Wins New Airline Customer | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX Crew-12 mission set to launch astronauts to ISS on Feb 13. Starlink gains another airline partner for in-flight internet. Musk tops Forbes' 250 Greatest Innovators list.
Space Brief 9 Jun 2025
Key space events for today include potential changes in US space policy involving SpaceX, uncertainties regarding NASA's Starliner, and China's new steps in asteroid exploration.