ABOUT VERY LOW EARTH ORBIT (VLEO)
Very Low Earth Orbit ranges from about 100 to 450 km altitude, below traditional LEO. VLEO offers superior imaging resolution and lower latency but faces significant atmospheric drag requiring continuous propulsion. Emerging technologies like air-breathing electric propulsion and aerodynamic satellite designs are making VLEO increasingly viable.
ORBITAL PARAMETERS
| Altitude (Min) | 100 km |
| Altitude (Max) | 450 km |
| Inclination | 0-97° |
| Orbital Period | 87-93 minutes |
| Orbital Velocity | 7.9 km/s |
| Delta-V Required | 9.3 km/s |
| Eccentricity | 0-0.001 |
| Category | Earth Orbit |
EQUATION / FORMULA
Drag = 0.5 * ρ * v² * Cd * A
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
Superior imaging resolution, lower latency, reduced radiation, natural debris deorbiting
DISADVANTAGES
Significant atmospheric drag, requires constant propulsion, shorter satellite lifetime without maintenance
HISTORY
| Discoverer / Pioneer | Emerging concept, 2010s |
| First Use | January 1, 2018 |
ALTITUDE CONVERSIONS (MIN)
| Kilometers | 100 km |
| Miles | 62 mi |
| Nautical Miles | 54 nmi |
TYPICAL PAYLOADS (3)
SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS (2)
