CLASSIFIED
SAPPHIRE
Canadian Space Surveillance Satellite · Canadian Department of National Defence / MDA
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Sapphire, a Canadian military space surveillance satellite launched in 2013 — the first dedicated space-based sensor built specifically to track other satellites and debris in deep orbit, contributing data directly to the US-led Space Surveillance Network. Canada became one of only a handful of nations operating a dedicated space-surveillance satellite of its own.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 479–488 mi (771–786 km)
- Inclination
- 98.4°
- One orbit
- 100.3 minutes14.4 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 39088
- Int’l designator
- 2013-009C
- Launched
- 2013
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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