NROL-179 Starshield Satellites Launch from Vandenberg | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launched NROL-179 from Vandenberg at 1:50 a.m. PDT June 19, carrying Starshield spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
GAOFEN-1 04 (43262)
COSPAR: 2018-031D | Alt Name: Gao Fen 1-04
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 31, 2018
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43262
International Designator
2018-031D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:56:10 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.05°
Right Ascension
247.86°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
61.02°
Period
97.53 min
Mean Motion
14.76 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GAOFEN-1 04
Alternative Name
Gao Fen 1-04
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CNSAS
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43262U 18031D 26185.33068015 .00000734 00000-0 11293-3 0 9991
2 43262 98.0518 247.8587 0001751 61.0210 299.1175 14.76458351445219
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GAOFEN-1 04 (Gao Fen 1-04) is an Earth observation satellite operated by CNSAS and manufactured by DFHZ. Launched on March 31, 2018, from TAISC LC9 using a Chang Zheng 4C launch vehicle, this satellite features a CAST2000 bus configuration with dimensions of 1.9 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 4 meters when solar arrays are deployed. It has a dry mass of 700 kg and launched with a total mass of 805 kg. The satellite's mission is to conduct Earth observation over a planned lifespan of six years using Gaofen 1 04 xing payload equipment. Power is provided by two deployable solar arrays and batteries, and its shape can be described as a box with two panels.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.9
Diameter
1.5
Span
4
Dry Mass
700
Launch Mass
805
Shape
Box+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gaofen 1 04 xing
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
DFHZ
Life Expectancy
6 years
Bus
CAST-2000
Configuration
CAST2000 bus
Motor
AOCS
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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