ORSTED

ORSTED is an active satellite operated by Denmark, launched on 1999-02-23 from Vandenberg SFB, California. With over 27 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 626 km and 813 km with an inclination of 96.5°. It travels at approximately 26,992 km/h (7.50 km/s), completing one full orbit every 99 minutes — that’s roughly 14.52 orbits per day. Its near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit means it passes over any given point on Earth at approximately the same local solar time, ideal for consistent Earth observation lighting conditions. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks ORSTED in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

ORSTED orbits at an average altitude of 720 km in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised subset of LEO where the orbital plane precesses to maintain a constant angle relative to the Sun. This provides consistent lighting conditions on every pass — essential for Earth observation, weather monitoring and environmental science. Within ±50 km of ORSTED’s average altitude, there are currently 283 active payloads and 1,684 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 96.5°, ORSTED passes over latitudes between 96.5°N and 96.5°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. Denmark operates approximately 9 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with ORSTED.