Science
TIANHUI 2-01B
Chinese Military SAR/Optical Stereo Mapping (Paired) · CAST / PLA Navigation and Survey Bureau
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The companion satellite to Tianhui 2-01A, flying in formation to enable interferometric SAR processing — using the phase difference between two radar images of the same target, taken from slightly different positions, to calculate precise elevation. This technique, similar to Germany's TanDEM-X/TerraSAR-X pairing, allows the Tianhui-2 duo to generate highly accurate 3D terrain models regardless of weather, expanding China's mapping capability beyond what optical-only Tianhui-1 satellites could achieve.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 322–324 mi (518–521 km)
- Inclination
- 97.5°
- One orbit
- 94.9 minutes15.2 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 44209
- Int’l designator
- 2019-024C
- Launched
- 2019
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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