SAPPHIRE

SAPPHIRE is an active satellite operated by Department of National Defense (Canada), 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 767 km and 782 km with an inclination of 98.4°. It travels at approximately 26,888 km/h (7.47 km/s), completing one full orbit every 100 minutes — that’s roughly 14.35 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 SAPPHIRE in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

SAPPHIRE orbits at an average altitude of 775 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 SAPPHIRE’s average altitude, there are currently 387 active payloads and 2,129 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ONEWEB-0179, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 98.4°, SAPPHIRE passes over latitudes between 98.4°N and 98.4°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. Canada operates approximately 67 active satellites in total, of which 7 share a similar altitude band with SAPPHIRE.