HILAT

HILAT is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 1983-06-27 from Vandenberg SFB, California. With over 43 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 734 km and 792 km with an inclination of 82.0°. It travels at approximately 26,909 km/h (7.47 km/s), completing one full orbit every 100 minutes — that’s roughly 14.39 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks HILAT in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

HILAT occupies the mid-LEO band between 600 and 1,000 km, where atmospheric drag is minimal but radiation exposure remains low. This altitude range balances orbital longevity (decades to centuries) with reasonable ground coverage, making it popular for remote sensing constellations, scientific instruments and weather satellites. Debris concerns are significant here because objects persist far longer than in lower orbits.