Space Brief 10 Feb 2025
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ZHONGXING-7 (24282)
COSPAR: 1996-048A | Alt Name: Zhongxing 7
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 18, 1996
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC3
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24282
International Designator
1996-048A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:11:46 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
16.59°
Right Ascension
182.78°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
270.67°
Period
1350.10 min
Mean Motion
1.07 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ZHONGXING-7
Alternative Name
Zhongxing 7
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
CHIS
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 24282U 96048A 26185.09150494 -.00000063 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 24282 16.5918 182.7783 3511473 270.6669 317.8125 1.06659065118898
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ZHONGXING-7, also known as Zhongxing 7, is a communication satellite launched by China on August 18, 1996, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Chang Zheng 3 launch vehicle. The satellite measures 8 meters in length with a diameter of 2.2 meters and spans 8 meters across. It has a dry mass of 600 kilograms and was designed for a ten-year lifetime. Equipped with 24 (+6) C-band transponders, ZHONGXING-7 is powered by solar cells mounted on the body and drop-skirt configurations, along with batteries. Manufactured by HSES and operated by CHIS, it serves communication purposes and has a shape of a cylinder with an RCS value of 0.7943.
Physical Characteristics
Length
8
Diameter
2.2
Span
8
Dry Mass
600
Launch Mass
754
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.7943
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Zhongxing 7
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
10 years (design)
Bus
HS-376
Configuration
HS-376
Motor
Star 30
Equipment
24 (+6) C-band transponders
Power System
Solar cells (body mounted and drop-skirt), batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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