SARAL

SARAL is an active satellite operated by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)/Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) (India), launched on 2013-02-25 from SRI. After 13 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 782 km and 783 km with an inclination of 98.6°. It travels at approximately 26,873 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.33 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. 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 SARAL in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

SARAL orbits at an average altitude of 783 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 SARAL’s average altitude, there are currently 403 active payloads and 2,218 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0179, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 98.6°, SARAL 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. India operates approximately 108 active satellites in total, of which 12 share a similar altitude band with SARAL.