LILACSAT 2

LILACSAT 2 is an active satellite operated by Harbin Institute/China Amateur Satellite - CAMSAT (China), launched on 2015-09-19 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China on the Cluster launch. After 11 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 401 km and 407 km with an inclination of 97.5°. It travels at approximately 27,613 km/h (7.67 km/s), completing one full orbit every 93 minutes — that’s roughly 15.54 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 ~1–3 years. Orbital Radar tracks LILACSAT 2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

LILACSAT 2 orbits at an average altitude of 404 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 LILACSAT 2’s average altitude, there are currently 1,287 active payloads and 95 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ISS (ZARYA), STARLINK-1008, STARLINK-1012. This makes it one of the more crowded altitude bands, containing roughly 6.9% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 97.5°, LILACSAT 2 passes over latitudes between 97.5°N and 97.5°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. China operates approximately 1,275 active satellites in total, of which 46 share a similar altitude band with LILACSAT 2.