SAPPHIRE

SAPPHIRE is an active satellite operated by USNA / Stanford (United States), launched on 2001-09-30 from Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska, United States on the Starshine 3 launch. With over 25 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 784 km and 791 km with an inclination of 67.1°. It travels at approximately 26,863 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.31 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 ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks SAPPHIRE in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

SAPPHIRE orbits at an average altitude of 788 km in the mid-LEO band, where atmospheric drag is minimal but radiation exposure remains manageable. Objects at this altitude persist for decades to centuries, making debris mitigation critical. This regime is popular for remote sensing constellations and scientific instruments that need stable, long-duration orbits. Within ±50 km of SAPPHIRE’s average altitude, there are currently 435 active payloads and 2,479 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 67.1°, SAPPHIRE passes over latitudes between 67.1°N and 67.1°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 13,340 active satellites in total, of which 187 share a similar altitude band with SAPPHIRE.