Science
LARES-2
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 sequel to LARES, made from niobium alloy and orbiting in a specially chosen inclination to cancel out gravitational perturbations that complicate frame-dragging measurements. When combined with LARES data, it will test Einstein's frame-dragging prediction to within 0.2% — a remarkable precision for a gravitational experiment, and the inaugural payload of ESA's Vega-C rocket.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Medium Earth Orbita high vantage point, ideal for navigation
- Altitude
- 3,659–3,667 mi (5,888–5,902 km)
- Inclination
- 70.1°
- One orbit
- 3.8 hours6.4 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 53105
- Int’l designator
- 2022-080A
- Launched
- 2022
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 14 Sep 2026.
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