Space Brief 4 Sep 2025
Today's briefing covers a surprise launch by Israel, a milestone missile contract for Lockheed Martin, and updates on Indian missile defense strategies.
SHIJIAN-23 (SJ-23) (55131)
COSPAR: 2023-002A | Alt Name: Shi Jian 23
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 8, 2023
Launch Site
WSC
Launch Pad
LC201
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 7A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
55131
International Designator
2023-002A
Epoch
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 19:51:30 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
3.80°
Right Ascension
77.91°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
274.11°
Period
1438.92 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SHIJIAN-23 (SJ-23)
Alternative Name
Shi Jian 23
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ZLZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 55131U 23002A 26199.82743198 -.00000364 00000+0 00000+0 0 9993
2 55131 3.7969 77.9147 0003409 274.1099 9.0286 01.00075370 12825
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The SHIJIAN-23 (SJ-23), also known as Shi Jian 23, is a satellite operated by ZLZB and manufactured by CAST in China. It was launched on January 8, 2023, from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site using the Chang Zheng 7A launch vehicle from LC201. The spacecraft has a box shape with two panels and measures 5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and spans 30 meters when fully deployed. It weighs approximately 5,000 kilograms at launch and has a dry mass of 2,500 kilograms. SHIJIAN-23 is powered by solar arrays and batteries but its specific mission purpose remains unspecified.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
2.5
Span
30
Dry Mass
2500
Launch Mass
5000
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
SJ-23
Purpose
?
Mission
?
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
DFH-4E
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
DFH-4 LAE
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Launches 1,500th Starlink of 2026, Space Brief 15 Jun 2026
SpaceX launches its 1,500th Starlink satellite of 2026 as shares jump 19% on Nasdaq debut day. Musk targets $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2030.
Space Brief 1 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers advances in satellite docking technology, challenges faced by space companies with government navigation, and China's leap in space autonomy through AI developments.
Space Brief 8 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include the cancellation of Starship landing plans, Planet Labs' defense expansion, and cutting-edge radiation-hardened tech for space and defense.
The Day Opportunity Changed Our View of Mars Forever
Twenty-one years ago, a golf cart-sized rover bounced to a stop inside a small crater on Mars, beginning one of the most remarkable chapters in space exploration history
Space Brief 1 Jan 2025
Today's brief covers a record-breaking Starlink launch, FCC's allocation of additional spectrum for launches, and more. Plus, explore the intricacies of satellite Rassvet-2 No. 1 in our Satellite Spotlight.
Space Brief 14 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include SpaceX's 300th Starlink launch, NASA re-establishing contact with a TRACERS satellite, and budget concerns impacting the commercial remote sensing industry.
Space Brief 26 Nov 2024
Today's headlines include new launch schedules, military industrial base challenges, and NASA's exploration of historic Cold War sites. Discover significant space events and satellite insights.