OBJECT K

OBJECT K is an active satellite operated by China, launched on 2026-09-15 from Yellow Sea launch area (Haiyang), China on the Qianfan Digui 26 launch. As a relatively recent addition to the catalogue, its orbital elements are well-characterised. Independent catalogue analysis identifies this object as Qianfan Jigui 26-08, attributed to Yuanxin (Qianfan). It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 883 km and 885 km with an inclination of 89.0°. It travels at approximately 26,684 km/h (7.41 km/s), completing one full orbit every 103 minutes — that’s roughly 14.03 orbits per day. Its near-circular orbit (eccentricity close to zero) means it maintains a very consistent altitude throughout each revolution. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~100–500 years. Orbital Radar tracks OBJECT K in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OBJECT K orbits at an average altitude of 884 km in the upper LEO band, where atmospheric drag is negligible and objects can persist for centuries to millennia. This altitude is used by broadband constellations like OneWeb and by scientific missions requiring stable orbits far from the densest debris bands. Within ±50 km of OBJECT K’s average altitude, there are currently 248 active payloads and 1,905 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. With an inclination of 89.0°, OBJECT K passes over latitudes between 89.0°N and 89.0°S, providing near-global coverage including the polar regions. Polar and near-polar orbits are used for reconnaissance, weather monitoring and Earth-observation missions that need to image every part of the planet. China operates approximately 1,695 active satellites in total, of which 89 share a similar altitude band with OBJECT K.