DUBAISAT 2

DUBAISAT 2 is an active satellite operated by Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology (EIAST) (UAE), launched on 2013-11-21 from OREN on the Dnepr Rideshare 8 launch. After 13 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 527 km and 543 km with an inclination of 97.5°. It travels at approximately 27,350 km/h (7.60 km/s), completing one full orbit every 95 minutes — that’s roughly 15.10 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. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~3–10 years. Orbital Radar tracks DUBAISAT 2 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

DUBAISAT 2 orbits at an average altitude of 535 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 DUBAISAT 2’s average altitude, there are currently 3,479 active payloads and 314 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1184, STARLINK-1276, STARLINK-1451. This makes it one of the more crowded altitude bands, containing roughly 19.9% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 97.5°, DUBAISAT 2 passes over latitudes between 97.5°N and 97.5°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. UAE operates approximately 22 active satellites in total, of which 11 share a similar altitude band with DUBAISAT 2.