MKA PN2 (RELEK)

MKA PN2 (RELEK) is an active satellite operated by Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics (Russia (CIS)), launched on 2014-07-08 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. After 12 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 614 km and 800 km with an inclination of 98.1°. It travels at approximately 27,016 km/h (7.50 km/s), completing one full orbit every 99 minutes — that’s roughly 14.56 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 MKA PN2 (RELEK) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

MKA PN2 (RELEK) orbits at an average altitude of 707 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 MKA PN2 (RELEK)’s average altitude, there are currently 251 active payloads and 1,520 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 98.1°, MKA PN2 (RELEK) passes over latitudes between 98.1°N and 98.1°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. Russia (CIS) operates approximately 1,286 active satellites in total, of which 9 share a similar altitude band with MKA PN2 (RELEK).