Shi Jian 17 (SJ-17)

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Location:

Mission details:

• During Nov 2016 and Aug 2018, China′s SJ-17 satellite made an unusual manuever in GEO, increasing its inclination from 0 to 4 degrees in January and then reversing the change in July. The satellite has moved back and forth through the geostationary belt between East Africa and the mid-Pacific in a series of rapid relocations, followed by a period of brief stays at a series of Indian Ocean locations. Its history to date is detailed below:
  • Phase 1: 2016 Nov 3 to 11: SJ-17 arrived on station at 163E a week after launch.
  • Phase 2: 2016 Nov 11 to 2017 Apr 26 SJ-17 on station at 163E
  • Phase 3: 2017 Apr 26 to 2017 Oct 10 Westward scan 1, from 163E to 118E
  • Phase 4: 2017 Oct 10 to 2017 Jan 11 SJ-17 on station at 118E
  • Phase 5: 2017 Jan 11 to 2018 Jan 23 Begin eastward scan 1 118E to 152E
  • Phase 6: 2018 Jan 23 to 2018 Jan 26 Increase inclination to 4 deg
  • Phase 7: 2018 Jan 26 to 2018 Feb 9 Complete eastward scan 1, 152E to 178W
  • Phase 8: 2018 Feb 10 to 2018 Mar 19 Westward scan 2, 178W to 40E
  • Phase 9: 2018 Mar 20 to 2018 Apr 14 Eastward scan 2, 40E to 118E
  • Phase 10: 2018 Apr 15 to 2018 May 7 Westward relocate, 118E to 106E
  • Phase 11: 2018 May 7 to May 20 SJ-17 on station at 106E
  • Phase 12: 2018 May 20 to May 28 Westward relocate, 106E to 103.5E
  • Phase 13: 2018 May 28 to Jun 4 SJ-17 on station at 103.5E
  • Phase 14: 2018 Jun 4 to Jun 19 Westward relocate, 103.5E to 94.3E
  • Phase 15: 2018 Jun 19 to Jul 17 SJ-17 on station at 94.3E
  • Phase 16: 2018 Jul 18 to Jul 21 Westward relo and decrease inc to 0 deg
  • Phase 17: 2018 Jul 21 to Aug 13 SJ-17 on station at 80.5E
  • Phase 18: 2018 Aug 14 to Aug 31 Eastward relo to 94.1E
  • Phase 19: 2018 Aug 31 to now SJ-17 on station at 94.1E

External links:

• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking