Space Brief 30 Sep 2025
Today's briefing covers China's rapid satellite launch activities, new Pentagon contracts for rocket motors, the Dream Chaser spaceplane's upcoming flight, and more.
YAOGAN-39 02A (57886)
COSPAR: 2023-145A | Alt Name: Yaogan 39 02 zu 01 xing
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 17, 2023
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC3
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
57886
International Designator
2023-145A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:41:05 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
35.00°
Right Ascension
355.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
257.61°
Period
94.54 min
Mean Motion
15.23 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
YAOGAN-39 02A
Alternative Name
Yaogan 39 02 zu 01 xing
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ZZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 57886U 23145A 26200.77853023 .00005287 00000+0 22000-3 0 9992
2 57886 35.0042 355.4989 0003057 257.6051 102.4322 15.23127258158143
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The YAOGAN-39 02A satellite, also known as Yaogan 39 02 zu 01 xing, was launched on September 17, 2023, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF) using a Chang Zheng 2D launch vehicle. It has a NORAD catalog ID of 57886 and an object ID of 2023-145A. The satellite measures 2.5 meters in length and diameter, with a span of 5 meters. Its dry mass is 300 kilograms, which is the same as its launch mass. It was manufactured by DFHZ (China Academy of Space Technology) for an Earth observation or SIGINT mission on behalf of ZZB (likely referring to China's intelligence agencies). The satellite powers itself with solar arrays and batteries and has a box shape with two panels attached.
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 39-02 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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