STARLINK-38258

STARLINK-38258 is an active satellite operated by SpaceX (United States), launched on 2026-08-22 from Vandenberg SFB, California on the Starlink Group 15-20 launch. As a relatively recent addition to the catalogue, its orbital elements are well-characterised. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 273 km and 278 km with an inclination of 70.0°. It travels at approximately 27,879 km/h (7.74 km/s), completing one full orbit every 90 minutes — that’s roughly 15.97 orbits per day. Its near-circular orbit (eccentricity close to zero) means it maintains a very consistent altitude throughout each revolution. It is part of the Starlink constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is weeks to months. Orbital Radar tracks STARLINK-38258 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

STARLINK-38258 orbits at an average altitude of 276 km in the lower reaches of Low Earth Orbit, where atmospheric drag is significant and orbital lifetimes are measured in months to a few years. This is the busiest corridor in space — home to crewed spacecraft, rapid-revisit imaging satellites and the densest part of the Starlink constellation. Within ±50 km of STARLINK-38258’s average altitude, there are currently 194 active payloads and 15 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1036, STARLINK-1067, STARLINK-1068. With an inclination of 70.0°, STARLINK-38258 passes over latitudes between 70.0°N and 70.0°S, covering most populated land masses in both hemispheres. This mid-inclination band balances global coverage with efficient launch energy requirements. United States operates approximately 12,855 active satellites in total, of which 161 share a similar altitude band with STARLINK-38258.