The Day a Giant Space Balloon United the Cold War
When a 135-foot inflatable mirror bounced a radio signal from England to Russia, it became the first joint US-Soviet space venture - and changed how we think about satellite communication.
Launch Date
August 16, 2024
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
XSC -
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
NORAD ID
60461
International Designator
2024-148D
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:56:43 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
35.00°
Right Ascension
302.30°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
146.82°
Period
94.10 min
Mean Motion
15.30 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
YAOGAN-43 01D
Alternative Name
Yaogan 43-01-04
Type
Status
Owner
ZZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 60461U 24148D 26200.62272476 .00003442 00000+0 11599-3 0 9992
2 60461 35.0044 302.2995 0001353 146.8167 213.2635 15.30234738107253
Source: Celestrak
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
Payload
Yaogan 43 hao 01 zu 04 xing
Purpose
?
Mission
?
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
When a 135-foot inflatable mirror bounced a radio signal from England to Russia, it became the first joint US-Soviet space venture - and changed how we think about satellite communication.
SpaceX's Starship gains military attention, a feather-light achievement, and a busy week for Falcon 9.
SpaceX's S-1 reveals $18.7B in revenue as Starship Flight 12 debuts Block 3 hardware from Pad 2 on May 21, 2026.
Explore the latest in satellite launches and space reconnaissance as Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and military entities push forward with innovative missions. A new propulsion clean room marks growth in satellite tech.
Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX's 99th operational launch, China's calibration satellite launch, and Space Force's role in a commercial space age. Special spotlight on the satellite YAOGAN 1!
Artemis 2 astronauts arrive at KSC for April 1 launch. Four-person crew will fly lunar free-return trajectory, first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Space Force confirmed 9 companies won orbital Air Moving Target Indication contracts. Capability shifts airborne surveillance to satellites for expanded coverage and survivability.
Highlights include China's recent satellite launch, advancements in nuclear propulsion, non-kinetic tech developments for maritime defense, SpaceX's direct-to-device spectrum tests, and maneuvering satellites for Space Force missions.