SAOCOM 1A
SAOCOM 1A is an Argentine L-band radar Earth-observation satellite launched in 2018. It is designed especially for soil-moisture and disaster-related applications and works in coordination with other radar missions.
Object identity
- NORAD ID
- 43641
- COSPAR ID
- 2018-076A
- Operator
- Not listed
- Country
- Not listed
- Launch date
- Not listed
Immediate discovery
Why this satellite matters
Longer-wavelength L-band radar penetrates vegetation more effectively than shorter wavelengths in many conditions, making it useful for soil and biomass studies.
Understanding the mission
Science and engineering ideas
Longer-wavelength L-band radar penetrates vegetation more effectively than shorter wavelengths in many conditions, making it useful for soil and biomass studies.
Mission
Mission and purpose
The current public orbital catalog identifies this object, but verified mission-specific information may be limited. TransitSatellite will expand this page when authoritative information is available.
- Longer-wavelength L-band radar penetrates vegetation more effectively than shorter wavelengths in many conditions, making it useful for soil and biomass studies.
Design
Engineering
Longer-wavelength L-band radar penetrates vegetation more effectively than shorter wavelengths in many conditions, making it useful for soil and biomass studies.
Real orbital values
The mathematics
The current two-line element set reports approximately 14.8215 revolutions per day. Dividing 1,440 minutes by that value gives an estimated orbital period of 97.2 minutes.
Period
97.2 min
Representative speed
27,164 km/h
Representative altitude
630 km
Inclination
97.89°
Launch record
Launch and deployment
SAOCOM 1A launched on 7 October 2018 aboard a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Orbit
LEO orbit explained
Low Earth orbit is the region closest to Earth used by most crewed spacecraft, many science missions, Earth-observation satellites, and large constellations. Objects move quickly and commonly complete an orbit in roughly 90 to 130 minutes.
LEO can provide detailed Earth views, lower communications delay, and easier access than higher orbits, but it covers less area per spacecraft and is more affected by atmospheric drag.
Live TransitSatellite experience
See SAOCOM 1A moving now
Open the live tracker to view its current calculated position, trajectory, orbital information, visibility tools, and Save and Share controls.
Learning
Questions to explore
- What can an orbit tell us before the mission is fully identified?
- Why are stable catalog identifiers important?
Evidence
Sources and data notes
Current identity and orbital elements come from CelesTrak’s public GP data. Calculated orbit values are derived from the current TLE and may change after catalog updates. Mission-history claims are added separately and require authoritative sources.
Catalog updated
Sep 17, 2026, 1:04 AM UTC
Story review
1970-01-01T00:00:00.000Z