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GAOFEN-3 (41727)
COSPAR: 2016-049A | Alt Name: Gao Fen 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 9, 2016
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
41727
International Designator
2016-049A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:57:11 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.40°
Right Ascension
192.82°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
92.98°
Period
99.85 min
Mean Motion
14.42 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GAOFEN-3
Alternative Name
Gao Fen 3
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
GWHYZ
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 41727U 16049A 26185.28971494 .00000191 00000-0 71026-4 0 9998
2 41727 98.4009 192.8176 0001701 92.9835 267.1549 14.42218163521118
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GAOFEN-3 is an Earth observation satellite launched on August 9, 2016, from TAI SC using a Chang Zheng 4C launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by CAST, has a configuration of CS-L3000B and measures 2 meters in length and diameter with a span of 8 meters. It has a dry mass of 2500 kilograms and was equipped with a multi-polarized C-band SAR payload for Earth observation tasks. GAOFEN-3's operational lifetime is expected to last 8 years, and it uses two deployable solar arrays along with batteries for power generation. The satellite's shape is described as Box + 3 Pan and has an RCS of 3.9379. It belongs to the GWHYZ organization and operates under the name "Gaofen 3".
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
8
Dry Mass
2500
Launch Mass
2779
Shape
Box + 3 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.9379
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gaofen 3
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
8 years
Bus
CS-L3000B
Configuration
CS-L3000B
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Multi-polarized C-band SAR
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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