Science
Swarm B
Catalogued as SWARM B
Geomagnetic Field Mapping · ESA
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One of ESA's three-satellite Swarm constellation dedicated to mapping Earth's magnetic field in unprecedented detail. Swarm B flies higher than its partners (around 330 miles) while Swarm A and C fly side-by-side lower down — this arrangement allows scientists to measure how the magnetic field changes with altitude. Swarm has revealed that Earth's magnetic field is weakening and shifting, particularly over the South Atlantic, and is refining forecasts for when the next magnetic pole reversal might occur.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 298–301 mi (480–485 km)
- Inclination
- 87.7°
- One orbit
- 94.1 minutes15.3 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 39451
- Int’l designator
- 2013-067A
- Launched
- 2013
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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