Science
SARAL
Ocean Altimetry · ISRO / CNES
Right now
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The India-France SARAL satellite introduced Ka-band altimetry to ocean science — enabling more precise measurement of coastal zones where traditional altimeters struggle. It tracks ocean surface height to within 1 cm, revealing the mesoscale eddies and the subtle sea level rise signal driven by climate change.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 488–489 mi (785–787 km)
- Inclination
- 98.6°
- One orbit
- 100.4 minutes14.3 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 39086
- Int’l designator
- 2013-009A
- Launched
- 2013
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 7 Nov 2026.
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