Yunhai-2 01/06

Launch data: Designation  Yunhai-2 01  Yunhai-2 02  Yunhai-2 03  Yunhai-2 04  Yunhai-2 05  Yunhai-2 06 NORAD-ID  43909  43910  43911  43912  43913  43915 Int. code  18112A  18112B  18112C  18112D  18112E  18112G Launch date  29 Dec 2018 - 08:00 UT Launch site  Jiuquan, SLS-2 Launch vehicle  CZ-2D/YZ-3 Mission  GNSS-RO meteorology Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  515x525 km  515x525 km  1088x1098 km  1090x1099 km  1091x1100 km  1092x1100 km Inclination  50.0 °  50.0 °  50.0 °   50.0°   50.0°   50.0° Period   min   min   min   min   min   min Decay

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• Yunhai-2 is a constellation of Chinese military meteorological satellites.
• Reportedly the satellites use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) to collect atmospheric data for weather prediction and for ionosphere, climate and gravity research.

Mission details:

• China′s SAST launched the first YZ-3 upper stage on a CZ-2D from Jiuquan on Dec 29, 2018.
• The CZ-2D puth the YZ-3 stage in a 190 km x 50 deg parking orbit. The first two YZ-3 burns reached a 515 x 525 km x 50.0 deg orbit; the Chongqing test satellite for the Hongyan LEO comms constellation was deployed together with the first three Yunhai-2 payloads.
• The YZ-3 then made two more burns to a 1090 x 1100 km x 50.0 deg orbit and deployed the remaining 3 Yunhai-2 satellites.
  The Yunhai-2 satellits are GNSS-RO meteorology satellites. The YZ-3 stage then made a deorbit burn; it probably reentered near Australia around 11:45 UTC.

External links:

• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking