X Report 23 Aug 2025
This week's highlights include the successful launch of the X-37B spaceplane and the deployment of 24 new Starlink satellites, alongside preparations for the upcoming Starship Flight 10.
YAOGAN-8 (36121)
COSPAR: 2009-072A | Alt Name: Yaogan Weixing 8
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 15, 2009
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
36121
International Designator
2009-072A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:08:31 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
100.21°
Right Ascension
68.74°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
286.97°
Period
110.34 min
Mean Motion
13.05 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
YAOGAN-8
Alternative Name
Yaogan Weixing 8
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ZZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 36121U 09072A 26185.13092163 .00000386 00000-0 13200-2 0 9993
2 36121 100.2149 68.7433 0020324 286.9714 72.9166 13.05081157790885
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The YAOGAN-8 satellite (also known as Yaogan Weixing 8) was launched on December 15, 2009, from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center's LC9 using a Chang Zheng 4C launch vehicle. It has a length and diameter of 1.5 meters with a span of 5 meters, and its dry mass is 1040 kilograms, matching its launch mass. The satellite is owned by ZZB and manufactured by SAST for Earth observation purposes. Its shape is described as Box + 2 Pan, with a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 3.025 square meters. It is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. The payload includes Jianbing-9 01 xing, indicating its involvement in earth observation missions.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.5
Diameter
1.5
Span
5
Dry Mass
1040
Launch Mass
1040
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.025
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Jianbing-9 01 xing
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
JB-9
Configuration
Unknown
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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