CRYOSAT 2

CRYOSAT 2 is an active satellite operated by European Space Agency (ESA) (ESA (European Space Agency)), launched on 2010-04-08 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. After 16 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 718 km and 721 km with an inclination of 92.0°. 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-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 CRYOSAT 2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CRYOSAT 2 orbits at an average altitude of 720 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 CRYOSAT 2’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 92.0°, CRYOSAT 2 passes over latitudes between 92.0°N and 92.0°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. ESA (European Space Agency) operates approximately 93 active satellites in total, of which 10 share a similar altitude band with CRYOSAT 2.