Science
LARES
Geodetic / General Relativity Test · ASI / Italy
Right now
LiveIt moves every second. See exactly where it is — worked out from its orbit, on your own device — on the live 3D globe.
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The densest known object orbiting Earth — a solid tungsten alloy sphere 36 cm in diameter weighing 386 kg. LARES tests general relativity: specifically, the 'frame-dragging' effect where Earth's rotation drags spacetime itself along with it. By tracking LARES with extreme precision, scientists can measure this relativistic effect to within 1% — one of the most precise tests of Einstein's general theory ever performed.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 895–906 mi (1,441–1,458 km)
- Inclination
- 69.5°
- One orbit
- 114.7 minutes12.6 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 38077
- Int’l designator
- 2012-006A
- Launched
- 2012
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.