Orbital Traffic All objects

Science

SJ-9B

Chinese Technology Demonstrator (Electric Propulsion / Imaging) · CAST

Right now

It moves every second. See exactly where it is — worked out from its orbit, on your own device — on the live 3D globe.

Watch it live on the 3D globe

Shijian-9B (SJ-9B), part of a Chinese satellite pair launched in 2012 alongside SJ-9A to test electric propulsion, high-resolution imaging, and radiation-hardened components — technology validation directly feeding into China's subsequent generation of operational satellites.

Its orbit

Orbit
Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
Altitude
365–377 mi (588–607 km)
Inclination
97.6°
One orbit
96.5 minutes14.9 orbits a day
NORAD ID
38861
Int’l designator
2012-056B
Launched
2012

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.

More science