ORBCOMM FM 113

ORBCOMM FM 113 is an active satellite operated by ORBCOMM Inc. (ORBCOMM), launched on 2015-12-22 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. After 11 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 695 km and 699 km with an inclination of 47.0°. It travels at approximately 27,035 km/h (7.51 km/s), completing one full orbit every 99 minutes — that’s roughly 14.59 orbits per day. Its near-circular orbit (eccentricity close to zero) means it maintains a very consistent altitude throughout each revolution. It is part of the Orbcomm constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks ORBCOMM FM 113 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

ORBCOMM FM 113 orbits at an average altitude of 697 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 ORBCOMM FM 113’s average altitude, there are currently 274 active payloads and 1,422 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 47.0°, ORBCOMM FM 113 passes over latitudes between 47.0°N and 47.0°S, covering the tropical and temperate zones where most of the world’s population resides. Low-to-mid inclination orbits are efficient to reach from equatorial and mid-latitude launch sites. ORBCOMM operates approximately 58 active satellites in total, of which 24 share a similar altitude band with ORBCOMM FM 113.