SEASAT 1

Seasat shows that mission impact is not simply mission duration. A short-lived spacecraft can validate measurement physics and algorithms that shape decades of later missions.

Seasat shows that mission impact is not simply mission duration. A short-lived spacecraft can validate measurement physics and algorithms that shape decades of later missions.

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.

• Seasat shows that mission impact is not simply mission duration. A short-lived spacecraft can validate measurement physics and algorithms that shape decades of later missions.

Seasat shows that mission impact is not simply mission duration. A short-lived spacecraft can validate measurement physics and algorithms that shape decades of later missions.

The current two-line element set reports approximately 14.4629 revolutions per day. Dividing 1,440 minutes by that value gives an estimated orbital period of 99.6 minutes.

Seasat launched on 27 June 1978 aboard an Atlas-Agena D from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

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.

• What can an orbit tell us before the mission is fully identified?
• Why are stable catalog identifiers important?

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.

• CelesTrak NORAD GP Element Sets