SHERPA-LTC2

SHERPA-LTC2 is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 2022-09-05 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 385 km and 939 km with an inclination of 53.2°. It travels at approximately 27,102 km/h (7.53 km/s), completing one full orbit every 98 minutes — that’s roughly 14.70 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks SHERPA-LTC2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

SHERPA-LTC2 orbits at an average altitude of 662 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 SHERPA-LTC2’s average altitude, there are currently 655 active payloads and 1,122 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 53.2°, SHERPA-LTC2 passes over latitudes between 53.2°N and 53.2°S, covering most populated land masses in both hemispheres. This mid-inclination band balances global coverage with efficient launch energy requirements. United States operates approximately 12,339 active satellites in total, of which 283 share a similar altitude band with SHERPA-LTC2.