Yaogan 15 (JB-9 2)

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº: 187

Launch data: Designation  38354 / 12029A Launch date  29 May 2012 - 07:31 UT Launch site  Taiyuan, LC-9 Launch vehicle  CZ-4C Mission  Military: Remote Sensing, Radar? LEO Sun-synchronous Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  1202 x 1206 km Eccentricity  2,64E-04 Inclination  100.13 deg Period  109.51 min

Yaogan 8

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• YAOGAN 15 is believed to be a surveillance satellite. The spacecraft will be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out land surveys, monitor crop yields and aid in reducing and preventing natural disasters according to Xinhua. But Yaogan satellites are believed by independent experts to be military spacecraft with observation and surveillance sensors. Yaogan 15 may carry a radar payload designed for all-weather, day-and-night imaging of locations around the world. Other Yaogan satellites likely feature advanced high-resolution optical cameras.
• Identique on Yaogan 8.
• Xinhua gave the objectives as "mainly used for scientific experiments, land resources survey, crop yield estimation of production and disaster prevention and mitigation".

Mission details:

• On May 29, 2012 Yaogan Weixing shiwu hao (´Remote Sensing Satellite No. 15´) was launched from Taiyuan space center by a three-stage CZ-4C into a 1201 x 1206 km x 100.1 deg sun-synchronous orbit with a 2:30pm local time descending node. The CZ-4C third stage made a depletion burn to lower its orbit to 966 x 1207 km.