CENTISPACE-1 S3

CENTISPACE-1 S3 is an active satellite operated by CENTI (China-Europe Networks of technology and Innovation) (China), launched on 2022-09-06 from Jiuquan, China. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 682 km and 696 km with an inclination of 53.5°. It travels at approximately 27,050 km/h (7.51 km/s), completing one full orbit every 99 minutes — that’s roughly 14.61 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks CENTISPACE-1 S3 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CENTISPACE-1 S3 orbits at an average altitude of 689 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 CENTISPACE-1 S3’s average altitude, there are currently 313 active payloads and 1,344 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 53.5°, CENTISPACE-1 S3 passes over latitudes between 53.5°N and 53.5°S, covering most populated land masses in both hemispheres. This mid-inclination band balances global coverage with efficient launch energy requirements. China operates approximately 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 69 share a similar altitude band with CENTISPACE-1 S3.