Space Brief 15 Jun 2025
Today’s highlights focus on the launch preparations for the Dragoon Mission, China’s seismo-electromagnetic satellite launch, NASA budget cut impacts, and a major expansion by American Pacific Corporation.
SHIYAN 4 (SY-4) (37931)
COSPAR: 2011-068B | Alt Name: Shiyan Weixing 4
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 2011
Launch Site
JSC
Launch Pad
LC603
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
37931
International Designator
2011-068B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:55:39 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
98.69°
Right Ascension
204.32°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
95.54°
Period
100.62 min
Mean Motion
14.31 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
SHIYAN 4 (SY-4)
Alternative Name
Shiyan Weixing 4
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 37931U 11068B 26185.28865185 .00000192 00000-0 89212-4 0 9992
2 37931 98.6948 204.3236 0024104 95.5440 275.6377 14.31135100761344
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SHIYAN 4 (SY-4), also known as Shiyan Weixing 4, is an Earth observation satellite operated by CASC and launched on November 20, 2011, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's LC603 using the Chang Zheng 2D launch vehicle. The satellite has a shape described as "Box + 2 Pan," with dimensions of 1 meter in length and diameter, and a span of 3 meters. It weighs 200 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. Equipped with two deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power generation, SHIYAN 4 is part of the SY bus series manufactured by DFHS/HARB. Its radar cross-section (RCS) is measured at 1.157 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
1
Span
3
Dry Mass
200
Launch Mass
200
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.157
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
shiyan weixing sihao
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
DFHS/HARB
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
SY
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable fixed 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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