RAZAKSAT

RAZAKSAT is an active satellite operated by Malaysia, launched on 2009-07-14 from KWAJL. After 17 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 649 km and 671 km with an inclination of 9.0°. It travels at approximately 27,106 km/h (7.53 km/s), completing one full orbit every 98 minutes — that’s roughly 14.70 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks RAZAKSAT in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

RAZAKSAT orbits at an average altitude of 660 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 RAZAKSAT’s average altitude, there are currently 663 active payloads and 1,121 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 9.0°, RAZAKSAT passes over latitudes between 9.0°N and 9.0°S, concentrating coverage over equatorial and near-equatorial regions. Low-inclination orbits maximise revisit rates over specific tropical zones. Malaysia operates approximately 9 active satellites in total.