Space Brief 18 Nov 2024
Today's brief highlights a Starlink satellite launch, an OpTech optical sensor contract for the Space Force, and a unique STEM experiment involving space-flown seeds.
GUANGCHUAN 02 (62112)
COSPAR: 2024-221B | Alt Name: Guangchuan 02
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 27, 2024
Launch Site
JSC
Launch Pad
LC43/96A
Launch Vehicle
Zhuque-2E
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62112
International Designator
2024-221B
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:51:48 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
49.94°
Right Ascension
3.16°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
122.16°
Period
95.06 min
Mean Motion
15.15 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
GUANGCHUAN 02
Alternative Name
Guangchuan 02
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
HONGQ
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 62112U 24221B 26200.82764264 .00001396 00000+0 90284-4 0 9997
2 62112 49.9448 3.1598 0006405 122.1566 238.0006 15.14808576 91123
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The Guangchuan 02 satellite, also known as GUANGCHUAN 02, was launched on November 27, 2024, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSC) using launch vehicle Zhuque-2E at LC43/96A. The satellite is owned by HONGQ and manufactured by CAST with a bus configuration of HQ. It has dimensions of 0.5 meters in length, 1.8 meters in diameter, and a span of 6 meters, with a launch mass and dry mass of 500 kilograms each. Its shape is described as a box with two panels. The satellite's name suggests it may be part of a series dedicated to certain operational or research purposes, though specific mission details are not provided here.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.5
Diameter
1.8
Span
6
Dry Mass
500
Launch Mass
500
Shape
Box + 2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Guangchuan 02
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
HQ
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
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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