LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K

LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K is an active satellite operated by Spire Global Inc. (United States), launched on 2021-04-29 from Guiana Space Centre, Kourou on the Pleiades-Neo 3 launch. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 304 km and 313 km with an inclination of 97.6°. It travels at approximately 27,810 km/h (7.72 km/s), completing one full orbit every 91 minutes — that’s roughly 15.88 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 months to ~1 year. Orbital Radar tracks LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K orbits at an average altitude of 309 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 LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K’s average altitude, there are currently 703 active payloads and 29 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1036, STARLINK-1048, STARLINK-1067. With an inclination of 97.6°, LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K passes over latitudes between 97.6°N and 97.6°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. United States operates approximately 12,671 active satellites in total, of which 642 share a similar altitude band with LEMUR 2 SPECIAL K.