BEIDOU-2 M4 (38251)

COSPAR: 2012-018B | Alt Name: Beidou DW 13

Image
BEIDOU-2 M4 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 29, 2012

Launch Site

XICLF

Launch Pad

LC2

Launch Vehicle

Chang Zheng 3B

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

38251

International Designator

2012-018B

Epoch

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 01:57:58 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

55.64°

Right Ascension

303.62°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

274.13°

Period

773.24 min

Mean Motion

1.86 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

BEIDOU-2 M4

Alternative Name

Beidou DW 13

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

CNSA

Country

China

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 38251U 12018B   26182.08192837 -.00000069  00000-0  00000-0 0  9994
2 38251  55.6447 303.6195 0011580 274.1308  85.7452  1.86229794 96205

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The BEIDOU-2 M4 satellite, also known as Beidou DW 13, is operated by CNSA and was manufactured by CAST. It uses a DFH-3 Bus configuration and has dimensions of 3 meters in length, 1.7 meters in diameter, and spans 18 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. The satellite was launched on April 29, 2012, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF) at Launch Pad LC2 using a Chang Zheng 3B launch vehicle. It has a dry mass of 1300 kilograms and a launch mass of 2300 kilograms. Equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power, its purpose is navigation. The satellite's shape consists of a box with two panels, and it has an RCS value of 7.9433. The mission was designed to last for 8 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

3

Diameter

1.7

Span

18

Dry Mass

1300

Launch Mass

2300

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

7.9433

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Beidou-2 M4

Purpose

Navigation

Mission

Navigation

Manufacturer

CAST

Life Expectancy

8 years

Bus

DFH-3

Configuration

DFH-3 Bus

Motor

FY-25

Equipment

?

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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