HEAD-3A

HEAD-3A is an active satellite operated by China, launched on 2023-08-14 from Xichang, China. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 686 km and 696 km with an inclination of 45.0°. It travels at approximately 27,046 km/h (7.51 km/s), completing one full orbit every 99 minutes — that’s roughly 14.61 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 HEAD-3A in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

HEAD-3A orbits at an average altitude of 691 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 HEAD-3A’s average altitude, there are currently 292 active payloads and 1,349 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 45.0°, HEAD-3A passes over latitudes between 45.0°N and 45.0°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. China operates approximately 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 60 share a similar altitude band with HEAD-3A.