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Today's brief covers strategic alignments in U.S. military space operations, a landmark missile defense program, and advances in secure satellite communications.
GAOFEN-12 04 (57654)
COSPAR: 2023-123A | Alt Name: Gao Fen 12-04
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 20, 2023
Launch Site
JSC
Launch Pad
LC43/94
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
57654
International Designator
2023-123A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:42:13 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.91°
Right Ascension
118.39°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
40.44°
Period
97.31 min
Mean Motion
14.80 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GAOFEN-12 04
Alternative Name
Gao Fen 12-04
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ZLZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 57654U 23123A 26200.86265536 .00000424 00000+0 63199-4 0 9990
2 57654 97.9097 118.3908 0003271 40.4439 319.7016 14.79779985157463
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The GAOFEN-12 04 (also known as Gao Fen 12-04) is an Earth observation satellite launched on August 20, 2023, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's LC43/94 launch pad using a Chang Zheng 4C launch vehicle. It was manufactured by SAST and operates for China National Space Administration (ZLZB). The satellite measures 2 meters in length and diameter with an 8-meter span, has a dry mass of 3000 kg, and its launch mass is also 3000 kg. It features solar arrays and batteries for power generation and is configured as a box shape with three panels. The mission objective is Earth observation.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
8
Dry Mass
3000
Launch Mass
3000
Shape
Box + 3 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gaofen 12 04 xing
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CS-L3000B
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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