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Today's Space Brief covers China’s latest satellite launches, leadership changes in the U.S. Space Force, insights from hyperspectral imagery on an Iranian facility, SpaceX's Starlink mission, and more.
YAOGAN-36 04A (54746)
COSPAR: 2022-171A | Alt Name: Yaogan 36 04 zu 01 xing
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 14, 2022
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC3
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
54746
International Designator
2022-171A
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:46:58 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
34.99°
Right Ascension
10.73°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
240.38°
Period
94.65 min
Mean Motion
15.21 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
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
YAOGAN-36 04A
Alternative Name
Yaogan 36 04 zu 01 xing
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ZZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 54746U 22171A 26201.78261771 .00004729 00000+0 20743-3 0 9999
2 54746 34.9912 10.7272 0007454 240.3766 119.6206 15.21347823200242
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The YAOGAN-36 04A satellite, also known as Yaogan 36 04 zu 01 xing, was launched on December 14, 2022, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF) using a Chang Zheng 2D launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 2.5 meters in length and diameter with a span of 5 meters. It has a dry mass and launch mass of 300 kilograms each and is powered by solar arrays and batteries. Manufactured by DFHZ, its purpose is listed as Earth observation or SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), though the exact mission remains unspecified. The satellite's shape consists of a box with two panels attached. Launched for ZZB, it was designated under the OBJECT_ID 2022-171A and NORAD_CAT_ID 54746.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.5
Diameter
2.5
Span
5
Dry Mass
300
Launch Mass
300
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Yaogan 36-04 A
Purpose
Earth observation or SIGINT ?
Mission
Earth observation or SIGINT ?
Manufacturer
DFHZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
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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