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AUTCUBE 2

NORAD 43681 Payload LEO 2018-084K ● Active
CONNECTING… LEO · NORAD 43681
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Altitude (km)
Speed (km/s)
Latitude
Longitude
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
529 km
Apogee
543 km
Inclination
98.1°
Period
95.4 min
Mean Motion
15.10102080 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 06:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude536 km
Orbital Velocity27,348 km/h
Velocity7.60 km/s
Orbital Period95 minutes
Orbits / Day15.10
Eccentricity0.0010
Semi-Major Axis6,907 km
Orbit ClassSun-Synchronous (SSO)
Est. Orbital Lifetime~3–10 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
Unknown
Launch Date
2018-10-29
Launch Site
TNSTA
Int'l Designator
2018-084K
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Medium (0.1–1 m²)
📖 About This Object
AUTCUBE 2 is an active satellite operated by Unknown, launched on 2018-10-29 from TNSTA. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 529 km and 543 km with an inclination of 98.1°. It travels at approximately 27,348 km/h (7.60 km/s), completing one full orbit every 95 minutes — that’s roughly 15.10 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 ~3–10 years. Orbital Radar tracks AUTCUBE 2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
AUTCUBE 2 orbits at an average altitude of 536 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 AUTCUBE 2’s average altitude, there are currently 3,494 active payloads and 316 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1184, STARLINK-1276, STARLINK-1451. This makes it one of the more crowded altitude bands, containing roughly 20.1% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 98.1°, AUTCUBE 2 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.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
AUTCUBE 2 is in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised form of LEO at approximately 536 km altitude. Its 98.1° inclination causes the orbital plane to precess at exactly the rate of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, so the satellite crosses each latitude at a consistent local solar time. It completes one orbit every 95 minutes, travelling at 27,348 km/h.
AUTCUBE 2 is operated by Unknown. It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 43681. You can track AUTCUBE 2 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
AUTCUBE 2 was launched on 2018-10-29 from TNSTA. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~3–10 years. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks AUTCUBE 2 (NORAD ID 43681) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
AUTCUBE 2 travels at approximately 27,348 km/h (16,993 mph) — roughly 7.60 km/s. It completes 15.10 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 30 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.