Science
LAGEOS 2
Geodetic Laser Ranging · NASA / ASI
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The joint NASA-Italian Space Agency sequel to LAGEOS-1, orbiting in the opposite inclination to maximize global geodetic coverage. Laser ranging stations on 6 continents routinely bounce pulses off both LAGEOS spheres to measure crustal motion, Earth's rotation variations, and how climate change is literally reshaping Earth as water moves from ice sheets to oceans.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Medium Earth Orbita high vantage point, ideal for navigation
- Altitude
- 3,494–3,703 mi (5,623–5,959 km)
- Inclination
- 52.6°
- One orbit
- 3.7 hours6.5 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 22195
- Int’l designator
- 1992-070B
- Launched
- 1992
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.