MIRANDA (X-4)

MIRANDA (X-4) is an active satellite operated by RAE (United Kingdom), launched on 1974-03-09 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, United States on the X-4 launch. After more than 52 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 659 km and 818 km with an inclination of 97.8°. It travels at approximately 26,956 km/h (7.49 km/s), completing one full orbit every 100 minutes — that’s roughly 14.46 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 MIRANDA (X-4) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

MIRANDA (X-4) orbits at an average altitude of 739 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 MIRANDA (X-4)’s average altitude, there are currently 417 active payloads and 2,045 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, ONEWEB-0179, LANDSAT 9. With an inclination of 97.8°, MIRANDA (X-4) passes over latitudes between 97.8°N and 97.8°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 Kingdom operates approximately 725 active satellites in total, of which 6 share a similar altitude band with MIRANDA (X-4).