Space Brief 28 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include China's latest satellite launches, Blue Origin's expansion plans, and Purdue University's groundbreaking suborbital mission with Virgin Galactic.
YAOGAN-26 (40362)
COSPAR: 2014-088A | Alt Name: Yaogan Weixing 26
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 27, 2014
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
40362
International Designator
2014-088A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:24:49 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.06°
Right Ascension
185.08°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
25.53°
Period
93.02 min
Mean Motion
15.48 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
YAOGAN-26
Alternative Name
Yaogan Weixing 26
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ZZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 40362U 14088A 26185.26723490 .00029510 00000-0 56371-3 0 9993
2 40362 97.0645 185.0832 0003560 25.5300 334.6126 15.48063828640341
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The YAOGAN-26 satellite, also known as Yaogan Weixing 26, was launched on December 27, 2014, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center's LC9 launch pad aboard a Chang Zheng 4B rocket. This Earth observation satellite is owned by ZZB and manufactured by CAST (Chinese Academy of Space Technology). With dimensions of 2 meters in length and diameter and an 8-meter span, YAOGAN-26 has a dry mass of 3000 kilograms, matching its launch mass. It is equipped with two deployable solar arrays for power generation along with batteries to store energy. The satellite's shape consists of a box-like structure with two panels (Box + 2 Pan). Its radar cross-section (RCS) is measured at 4.769 square meters. The mission of YAOGAN-26 focuses on Earth observation, specifically carrying the Jianbing-13 payload for this purpose.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
8
Dry Mass
3000
Launch Mass
3000
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
4.769
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Jianbing-13 01 xing
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
JB-13
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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