IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P

IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P is an active satellite operated by France, launched on 2002-05-04 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou. With over 24 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 781 km and 796 km with an inclination of 98.6°. It travels at approximately 26,861 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.31 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 IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P orbits at an average altitude of 789 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 IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P’s average altitude, there are currently 400 active payloads and 2,232 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0179, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 98.6°, IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P passes over latitudes between 98.6°N and 98.6°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. France operates approximately 114 active satellites in total, of which 3 share a similar altitude band with IDEFIX/ARIANE 42P.