FORTE
NORAD 24920
Payload
LEO
1997-047A
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LEO · NORAD 24920
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
784 km
Apogee
813 km
Inclination
70.0°
Period
100.8 min
Mean Motion
14.27903486 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-03-17 19:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude799 km
Orbital Velocity26,843 km/h
Velocity7.46 km/s
Orbital Period101 minutes
Orbits / Day14.28
Eccentricity0.0020
Semi-Major Axis7,170 km
Est. Orbital Lifetime~25–100 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇺🇸 United States
Launch Date
1997-08-29
Launch Site
WRAS
Int'l Designator
1997-047A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
FORTE is an active satellite operated by United States, launched on 1997-08-29 from WRAS. With over 29 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 784 km and 813 km with an inclination of 70.0°. It travels at approximately 26,843 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.28 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks FORTE in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
FORTE 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
FORTE orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 784 km (perigee) and 813 km (apogee), with an average altitude of approximately 799 km. It completes one orbit every 101 minutes, travelling at approximately 26,843 km/h (16,679 mph).
FORTE is operated by United States. It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 24920. You can track FORTE in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker.
FORTE was launched on 1997-08-29 from WRAS. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~25–100 years.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks FORTE (NORAD ID 24920) 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.
FORTE travels at approximately 26,843 km/h (16,679 mph) — roughly 7.46 km/s. It completes 14.28 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 29 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.