CUTE-1.7+APD 2
NORAD 32785
Payload
LEO
2008-021C
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LEO · NORAD 32785
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
529 km
Apogee
543 km
Inclination
97.8°
Period
95.3 min
Mean Motion
15.10187830 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-09-17 21:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude536 km
Orbital Velocity27,348 km/h
Velocity7.60 km/s
Orbital Period95 minutes
Orbits / Day15.10
Eccentricity0.0010
Semi-Major Axis6,907 km
Orbit ClassSun-Synchronous (SSO)
Est. Orbital Lifetime~3–10 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇯🇵 TITech (Japan)
Launch Date
2008-04-28
Launch Site
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India
Int'l Designator
2008-021C
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Medium (0.1–1 m²)
📖 About This Object
CUTE-1.7+APD 2 is an active satellite operated by TITech (Japan), launched on 2008-04-28 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India on the PSLV Rideshare 01 launch. After 18 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 529 km and 543 km with an inclination of 97.8°. It travels at approximately 27,348 km/h (7.60 km/s), completing one full orbit every 95 minutes — that’s roughly 15.10 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 ~3–10 years. Orbital Radar tracks CUTE-1.7+APD 2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
CUTE-1.7+APD 2 orbits at an average altitude of 536 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 CUTE-1.7+APD 2’s average altitude, there are currently 1,769 active payloads and 350 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1184, STARLINK-1276, STARLINK-1451. This makes it one of the more crowded altitude bands, containing roughly 9.5% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 97.8°, CUTE-1.7+APD 2 passes over latitudes between 97.8°N and 97.8°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. Japan operates approximately 208 active satellites in total, of which 57 share a similar altitude band with CUTE-1.7+APD 2.
🔗 CubeSat
This is a CubeSat — a class of miniaturised satellite built to standardised dimensions (1U = 10×10×10 cm, ~1.3 kg). CubeSats have democratised space access, enabling universities, startups and research institutions to deploy orbital experiments at a fraction of traditional satellite costs. They are used for technology demonstration, Earth observation, communications and scientific research.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
CUTE-1.7+APD 2 is in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised form of LEO at approximately 536 km altitude. Its 97.8° inclination causes the orbital plane to precess at exactly the rate of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, so the satellite crosses each latitude at a consistent local solar time. It completes one orbit every 95 minutes, travelling at 27,348 km/h.
CUTE-1.7+APD 2 is operated by TITech (Japan). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 32785. You can track CUTE-1.7+APD 2 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
CUTE-1.7+APD 2 was launched on 2008-04-28 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India, India’s primary launch facility on a barrier island off the coast of Andhra Pradesh. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~3–10 years. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks CUTE-1.7+APD 2 (NORAD ID 32785) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
CUTE-1.7+APD 2 travels at approximately 27,348 km/h (16,993 mph) — roughly 7.60 km/s. It completes 15.10 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 30 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.