Science
Swarm A
Catalogued as SWARM A
Geomagnetic Field Mapping · ESA
Right now
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Flying side-by-side with Swarm C at about 285 miles altitude, Swarm A is part of ESA's magnetic field constellation. The pair's close formation allows them to separate east-west from north-south variations in Earth's magnetic field — something a single satellite can't do. Together they've built the most detailed map of Earth's internal and crustal magnetic field ever made, revealing how liquid iron currents deep in Earth's outer core generate and sustain our planet's protective magnetic shield.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 259–261 mi (416–420 km)
- Inclination
- 87.3°
- One orbit
- 92.8 minutes15.5 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 39452
- Int’l designator
- 2013-067B
- Launched
- 2013
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.