The Day America's Spy Satellites Gained New Eyes
Sixty-three years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket launched the first dual-camera reconnaissance satellite, revolutionizing space-based intelligence while hiding behind the final use of a famous cover name
BEIDOU-2 G6 (38953)
COSPAR: 2012-059A | Alt Name: Beidou DW 16
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 25, 2012
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
38953
International Designator
2012-059A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:18:30 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
4.46°
Right Ascension
73.35°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
330.01°
Period
1436.12 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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 G6
Alternative Name
Beidou DW 16
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 38953U 12059A 26185.09618497 -.00000165 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 38953 4.4619 73.3459 0009384 330.0106 357.3906 1.00270137 50078
Source: Celestrak
Summary
BEIDOU-2 G6, also known as Beidou DW 16, is a navigation satellite launched by CNSA on October 25, 2012, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF) using the Chang Zheng 3C launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 3 meters in length and 1.7 meters in diameter with a span of 18 meters. It has a dry mass of 1700 kilograms and was launched with a total mass of 3060 kilograms. Equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries, the satellite's mission is navigation, with an expected lifetime of 8 years. The spacecraft uses the DFH-3B bus configuration and is manufactured by CAST. It operates under a box plus two panel shape design and has a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 2.5119.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3
Diameter
1.7
Span
18
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
3060
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.5119
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Beidou-2 G6
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
8 years
Bus
DFH-3B
Configuration
DFH-3 Bus
Motor
FY-25
Equipment
?
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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