POLAR BEAR
NORAD 17070
Payload
LEO
1986-088A
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
952 km
Apogee
1009 km
Inclination
89.6°
Period
104.7 min
Mean Motion
13.75272046 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-03-17 20:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude981 km
Orbital Velocity26,508 km/h
Velocity7.36 km/s
Orbital Period105 minutes
Orbits / Day13.75
Eccentricity0.0039
Semi-Major Axis7,352 km
Est. Orbital Lifetime~100–500 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇺🇸 United States
Launch Date
1986-11-14
Launch Site
Vandenberg SFB, California
Int'l Designator
1986-088A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
🔗 Constellation / Groups
nnss
📖 About This Object
POLAR BEAR is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 1986-11-14 from Vandenberg SFB, California. With over 40 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 952 km and 1,009 km with an inclination of 89.6°. It travels at approximately 26,508 km/h (7.36 km/s), completing one full orbit every 105 minutes — that’s roughly 13.75 orbits per day. It is part of the Nnss constellation group. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~100–500 years. Orbital Radar tracks POLAR BEAR in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
POLAR BEAR 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.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
POLAR BEAR orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 952 km (perigee) and 1,009 km (apogee), with an average altitude of approximately 981 km. It completes one orbit every 105 minutes, travelling at approximately 26,508 km/h (16,472 mph).
POLAR BEAR is operated by United States. It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 17070. You can track POLAR BEAR in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker.
POLAR BEAR was launched on 1986-11-14 from Vandenberg SFB, California, primarily used for polar and sun-synchronous orbit launches due to its southward ocean trajectory from California. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~100–500 years.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks POLAR BEAR (NORAD ID 17070) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time.
POLAR BEAR travels at approximately 26,508 km/h (16,472 mph) — roughly 7.36 km/s. It completes 13.75 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 28 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.
POLAR BEAR is a member of the Nnss constellation. Satellites in this group work together to provide coordinated coverage, typically in similar orbital planes at comparable altitudes. You can view all Nnss satellites on Orbital Radar’s live tracker.