Space Brief 2 Jun 2025
Today's edition covers SpaceX's Starlink launch delay, a breakthrough in ceramic manufacturing for space, and Momentus's orbital tech demo, among other headlines.
SHIJIAN-6 03A (SJ-6 03A) (33408)
COSPAR: 2008-053A | Alt Name: Shi Jian 6/3B
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 25, 2008
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
33408
International Designator
2008-053A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:52:06 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
97.84°
Right Ascension
219.25°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
319.76°
Period
94.90 min
Mean Motion
15.17 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SHIJIAN-6 03A (SJ-6 03A)
Alternative Name
Shi Jian 6/3B
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 33408U 08053A 26185.32785046 .00004158 00000-0 21191-3 0 9996
2 33408 97.8396 219.2456 0009906 319.7611 40.2887 15.17329217965561
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The SHIJIAN-6 03A (SJ-6 03A), also known as Shi Jian 6/3B, is a satellite launched by China on October 25, 2008, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center's LC9 pad using the Chang Zheng 4B launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 1.4 meters in length and diameter with a span of 8.6 meters, has a dry mass of 1000 kg, and was launched with the same mass. It is part of the FY-1 bus series or CAST968 Bus configuration and serves a technology and SIGINT mission. The satellite is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. It was designed to operate for approximately 2 years in orbit. The shape of the satellite is described as "Box + 2 Pan" with an RCS value of 1.301, indicating its radar cross-section. The SHIJIAN-6 03A was manufactured by SAST and owned by CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation).
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
8.6
Dry Mass
1000
Launch Mass
1000
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.301
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Shi Jian 06 hao 03 zu B xing
Purpose
Technology, SIGINT
Mission
Technology, SIGINT
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
2 years
Bus
FY-1
Configuration
FY-1 bus ? (#01B, 02B, 03B, 04B, 05B); CAST968 Bus (#01A, 02A, 03A, 04A, 05A)
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, 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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