NPSAT1

NPSAT1 is an active satellite operated by F Space Test Office (United States), launched on 2019-06-25 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, United States on the STP-2 launch. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 638 km and 648 km with an inclination of 24.0°. It travels at approximately 27,139 km/h (7.54 km/s), completing one full orbit every 98 minutes — that’s roughly 14.76 orbits per day. 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 ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks NPSAT1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

NPSAT1 orbits at an average altitude of 643 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 NPSAT1’s average altitude, there are currently 901 active payloads and 1,067 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, ONEWEB-0050. With an inclination of 24.0°, NPSAT1 passes over latitudes between 24.0°N and 24.0°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. United States operates approximately 13,340 active satellites in total, of which 501 share a similar altitude band with NPSAT1.