Space Brief 9 Dec 2025
Today's edition covers significant military space developments, including DIU tech consolidation discussions, NDAA budget expansions, and new military commands.
PIESAT-2 09 (62333)
COSPAR: 2024-241A | Alt Name: Hongtu-1 09
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 16, 2024
Launch Site
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
Launch Pad
LC-9
Launch Vehicle
Long March 2D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62333
International Designator
2024-241A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:37:01 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
97.53°
Right Ascension
148.19°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
77.89°
Period
95.07 min
Mean Motion
15.15 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
PIESAT-2 09
Alternative Name
Hongtu-1 09
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
PIESAT Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Country
China
Constellation
Hongtu-1
Related Satellites
Major Events
Successfully launched on December 16, 2024, and entered its designated Sun-synchronous orbit; began commissioning phase post-launch
Latest TLEs
1 62333U 24241A 26200.85904053 .00004485 00000+0 24634-3 0 9996
2 62333 97.5305 148.1914 0002361 77.8941 282.2555 15.14623980 87748
Source: Celestrak
Summary
PIESAT-2 09, also known as Hongtu-1 09, is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite launched on December 16, 2024, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center using the Long March 2D launch vehicle. Manufactured by GalaxySpace and owned by PIESAT Information Technology Co., Ltd., the spacecraft measures 1 meter in length and diameter with a span of 4 meters when solar panels are deployed. It has a dry mass of 320 kg and is equipped with an X-band SAR instrument for high-resolution Earth observation, designed to support land resources management, disaster monitoring, and environmental protection. The satellite features three-axis stabilization and is painted white with company logos. It was successfully launched into its designated Sun-synchronous orbit and began the commissioning phase post-launch. PIESAT-2 09 is part of the Hongtu-1 constellation along with other related satellites such as PIESAT-2 10, PIESAT-2 11, and PIESAT-2 12.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
1
Span
4
Dry Mass
320
Launch Mass
320
Shape
Box with deployable solar panels
Radar Cross Section
0.5
Visual Magnitude
6
Color
White with company logos
Material Composition
Aluminum and composite materials
Technical Details
Payload
X-band SAR instrument
Purpose
Earth observation and remote sensing
Mission
To provide all-weather, high-resolution Earth observation data for applications such as land resources management, disaster monitoring, and environmental protection
Manufacturer
GalaxySpace
Life Expectancy
Designed for a mission duration of at least 10 years
Bus
Piesat
Configuration
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellite
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for high-resolution Earth observation
Power System
Equipped with solar panels generating sufficient power for the SAR instrument and satellite operations
ADCS
Three-axis stabilization
Transmitter Frequency
9.65 GHz
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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