LEO Orbit Calculator
Calculate orbital period, velocity, horizon coverage, footprint radius, and maximum pass duration for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
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Inputs
Live
Math
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Related
Enter parameters and click Calculate to view results
Formula & Theory
T = 2π√(r³/μ), v = √(μ/r), d_slant = √(r² - Rₑ²), γ = acos(Rₑ/r)This formula is used to calculate antenna parameters for leo orbit calculator.
Overview
Use this Low Earth Orbit (LEO) calculator to determine key orbital parameters for satellites orbiting between 160 km and 2,000 km altitude—including Starlink, OneWeb, ISS, and Earth observation constellations.
Input Guide
Enter Orbital Altitude exactly in the units shown by this leo orbit. Check the operating band, unit prefix, and decimal position before calculating; these are the inputs used by the formula.
- Orbital Altitude — use km.
Output Guide
The results describe the calculated leo orbit values for the inputs you entered. Check each value against the available space, selected components, feed system, and operating conditions before making a final design decision.
How This Calculator Works
The LEO Orbit uses T = 2π√(r³/μ), v = √(μ/r), d_slant = √(r² - Rₑ²), γ = acos(Rₑ/r). Supply Orbital Altitude (km) in the displayed units, then use the calculated values as the first engineering target for this satellite communication design or analysis.
Design Notes
LEO satellites travel at extremely high ground speeds (~7.5 to 7.8 km/s), completing an orbit roughly every 90 to 128 minutes. Because they are close to Earth, individual pass durations over a ground station are brief, typically lasting 5 to 15 minutes max.
Build and Tuning Notes
Altitudes below 300 km experience heavy atmospheric drag requiring frequent orbital station-keeping maneuvers. For satellite link planning, line-of-sight is usually restricted to elevation angles >5° or >10° due to local terrain and atmospheric loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What altitude range defines Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?
LEO is universally defined as the region of space between 160 km (100 miles) and 2,000 km (1,240 miles) above Earth’s surface.
How long can a LEO satellite be seen during a single pass?
For a satellite passing directly overhead (zenith pass), maximum ground visibility ranges from ~7 minutes at 300 km altitude up to ~15 minutes at 1,200 km altitude.
Why do LEO constellations like Starlink need thousands of satellites?
Because each LEO satellite covers a relatively small ground footprint radius and moves rapidly across the sky, thousands of satellites are required to provide continuous global coverage.
Alex Warren
B.Sc. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE)
Alex specialises in antenna design and wave propagation. His expertise helps ensure these calculators present practical RF concepts, useful design estimates, and clear engineering guidance for students, HAM operators, and wireless professionals.