FLOCK 4Q 21

FLOCK 4Q 21 is an active satellite operated by Planet Labs (United States), launched on 2023-11-11 from Vandenberg SFB, California on the Transporter-9 launch. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 195 km and 216 km with an inclination of 97.4°. It travels at approximately 28,027 km/h (7.79 km/s), completing one full orbit every 89 minutes — that’s roughly 16.25 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. It is part of the Planet constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is weeks to months. Orbital Radar tracks FLOCK 4Q 21 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

FLOCK 4Q 21 orbits at an average altitude of 206 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 FLOCK 4Q 21’s average altitude, there are currently 39 active payloads and 2 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1606, STARLINK-1665, STARLINK-1663. This is a relatively sparse altitude band, containing less than 1% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 97.4°, FLOCK 4Q 21 passes over latitudes between 97.4°N and 97.4°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 12,413 active satellites in total, of which 31 share a similar altitude band with FLOCK 4Q 21.