CLASSIFIED
YAOGAN-15
Chinese Military Reconnaissance · CASC / PLA
Right now
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Yaogan-15, launched in 2012 into a distinctive 100.7° inclination — a super-synchronous, slightly retrograde sun-synchronous orbit uncommon among Yaogan satellites. This unusual orbital geometry has led some analysts to assess Yaogan-15 as testing a different sensor type or coverage pattern than the broader Yaogan optical and SAR families.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 731–755 mi (1,176–1,215 km)
- Inclination
- 100.7°
- One orbit
- 109.2 minutes13.2 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 38354
- Int’l designator
- 2012-029A
- Launched
- 2012
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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- YAOGAN-17 01BChinese ELINT Naval Surveillance (JB-8 Triplet)
- YAOGAN-17 01CChinese ELINT Naval Surveillance (JB-8 Triplet)