OTB-3-GAZELLE

OTB-3-GAZELLE is an active satellite operated by GA-EMS (United States), launched on 2022-10-07 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, New Zealand on the GAzelle launch. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 741 km and 758 km with an inclination of 98.4°. It travels at approximately 26,935 km/h (7.48 km/s), completing one full orbit every 100 minutes — that’s roughly 14.43 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 ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks OTB-3-GAZELLE in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OTB-3-GAZELLE orbits at an average altitude of 750 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 OTB-3-GAZELLE’s average altitude, there are currently 412 active payloads and 2,102 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ONEWEB-0179, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 98.4°, OTB-3-GAZELLE passes over latitudes between 98.4°N and 98.4°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 13,204 active satellites in total, of which 182 share a similar altitude band with OTB-3-GAZELLE.