QIANFAN-255

QIANFAN-255 is an active satellite operated by Qianfan (Spacesail) (China), launched on 2026-11-03 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China on the Qianfan Jigui 21 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 796 km and 804 km with an inclination of 89.0°. It travels at approximately 26,840 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.27 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 Qianfan constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~100–500 years. Orbital Radar tracks QIANFAN-255 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

QIANFAN-255 orbits at an average altitude of 800 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 QIANFAN-255’s average altitude, there are currently 485 active payloads and 2,527 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 89.0°, QIANFAN-255 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 1,684 active satellites in total, of which 95 share a similar altitude band with QIANFAN-255.