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YUNHAI-1 03

Chinese Meteorological Satellite (Assessed Military) · SAST / Chinese Military (Assessed)

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The third Yunhai-1 satellite, launched October 2022 to continue China's atmospheric and space environment monitoring program. Yunhai-1 03 carries an infrared Earth horizon sensor and scanning radiometer for atmospheric temperature measurement — instruments whose data feeds both civilian weather forecasting and, by most Western intelligence assessments, PLA operational weather planning. The program's genuine purpose sits in the deliberately blurred space between the two.

Its orbit

Orbit
Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
Altitude
487–492 mi (784–791 km)
Inclination
98.6°
One orbit
100.5 minutes14.3 orbits a day
NORAD ID
53877
Int’l designator
2022-115A
Launched
2022

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.

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