MR-1

MR-1 is an active satellite operated by Spain, launched on 2026-01-22 from RLLC. As a relatively recent addition to the catalogue, its orbital elements are well-characterised. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 1,058 km and 1,066 km with an inclination of 89.0°. It travels at approximately 26,363 km/h (7.32 km/s), completing one full orbit every 106 minutes — that’s roughly 13.53 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 ~500–1,000 years. Orbital Radar tracks MR-1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

MR-1 orbits at an average altitude of 1,062 km in the upper LEO band, where atmospheric drag is negligible and objects can persist for centuries to millennia. This altitude is used by broadband constellations like OneWeb and by scientific missions requiring stable orbits far from the densest debris bands. Within ±50 km of MR-1’s average altitude, there are currently 188 active payloads and 445 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include ONEWEB-0041. With an inclination of 89.0°, MR-1 passes over latitudes between 89.0°N and 89.0°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. Spain operates approximately 53 active satellites in total, of which 2 share a similar altitude band with MR-1.