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SHIYAN-1 (SY-1)

Technology Demonstrator · CNSA

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China's Shiyan-1 ('Experiment-1') tested space-qualified components for future Chinese missions. Technology pathfinder satellites form an essential but invisible part of any nation's space program — you need somewhere to qualify hardware before it flies on a billion-dollar mission. Shiyan-1 was China's proving ground.

Its orbit

Orbit
Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
Altitude
285–290 mi (458–466 km)
Inclination
97.9°
One orbit
93.7 minutes15.4 orbits a day
NORAD ID
28220
Int’l designator
2004-012A
Launched
2004

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.

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