FLOCK 4Q 1

FLOCK 4Q 1 is an active satellite operated by Planet Labs (United States), launched on 2023-11-11 from Vandenberg SFB, California. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 250 km and 267 km with an inclination of 97.4°. It travels at approximately 27,915 km/h (7.75 km/s), completing one full orbit every 90 minutes — that’s roughly 16.09 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. It is part of the Planet constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is weeks to months. Orbital Radar tracks FLOCK 4Q 1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

FLOCK 4Q 1 orbits at an average altitude of 259 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 FLOCK 4Q 1’s average altitude, there are currently 148 active payloads and 3 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1151, STARLINK-1143, STARLINK-1320. With an inclination of 97.4°, FLOCK 4Q 1 passes over latitudes between 97.4°N and 97.4°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 12,339 active satellites in total, of which 128 share a similar altitude band with FLOCK 4Q 1.