Yaogan 22 (JB-9 4)

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº: 233

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• YAOGAN 22 is Chinesea reconnaissance satellite. China did not announce the launch ahead of time, keeping with standard practice for nearly all Chinese rocket flights. Tracking data from the U.S. Air Force's Space Surveillance Network indicated the satellite was put into orbit 1,200 kilometers, or 745 miles, above Earth at an inclination of about 100 degrees. The satellite will be used for scientific experiments, natural resource surveying, estimating crop yields and disaster relief´ - according to Xinhua. But Western analysts believe Yaogan satellites conduct global surveillance with high-resolution imaging payloads for Chinese intelligence and military authorities.

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