LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1)
NORAD 6126
Payload
LEO
1972-058A
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
896 km
Apogee
906 km
Inclination
99.3°
Period
103.0 min
Mean Motion
13.97842417 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-10-21 03:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude901 km
Orbital Velocity26,653 km/h
Velocity7.40 km/s
Orbital Period103 minutes
Orbits / Day13.98
Eccentricity0.0007
Semi-Major Axis7,272 km
Orbit ClassSun-Synchronous (SSO)
Est. Orbital Lifetime~100–500 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇺🇸 GSFC (United States)
Launch Date
1972-07-23
Launch Site
Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States
Int'l Designator
1972-058A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) is an active satellite operated by GSFC (United States), launched on 1972-07-23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States on the ERTS A launch. After more than 54 years in orbit, it is one of the longest-surviving objects in the space catalogue. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 896 km and 906 km with an inclination of 99.3°. It travels at approximately 26,653 km/h (7.40 km/s), completing one full orbit every 103 minutes — that’s roughly 13.98 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. 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 ~100–500 years. Orbital Radar tracks LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) orbits at an average altitude of 901 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 LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1)’s average altitude, there are currently 305 active payloads and 1,651 tracked debris or rocket body fragments. With an inclination of 99.3°, LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) passes over latitudes between 99.3°N and 99.3°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 13,279 active satellites in total, of which 132 share a similar altitude band with LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1).
🔗 Landsat Earth Observation Programme
This satellite is part of the Landsat programme, a joint USGS/NASA initiative that has continuously imaged Earth since 1972 — the longest-running Earth observation programme in history. Landsat data is freely available and underpins research in agriculture, forestry, land use change, water resources and climate science. Landsat satellites operate in sun-synchronous polar orbits at approximately 705 km altitude.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) is in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised form of LEO at approximately 901 km altitude. Its 99.3° inclination causes the orbital plane to precess at exactly the rate of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, so the satellite crosses each latitude at a consistent local solar time. It completes one orbit every 103 minutes, travelling at 26,653 km/h.
LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) is operated by GSFC (United States). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 6126. You can track LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) was launched on 1972-07-23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States, primarily used for polar and sun-synchronous orbit launches due to its southward ocean trajectory from California. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~100–500 years. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) (NORAD ID 6126) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) orbital data in its live tracking catalogue (see our data sources). Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
LANDSAT 1 (ERTS 1) travels at approximately 26,653 km/h (16,561 mph) — roughly 7.40 km/s. It completes 13.98 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 28 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.