CLASSIFIED
YAOGAN-36 02A
Chinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation) · CASC / PLA
Right now
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Lead satellite of the second Yaogan-36 formation, launched 2024 to expand China's SAR reconnaissance capability alongside the parallel Yaogan-35 mixed-sensor program. The rapid proliferation of both Yaogan-35 and Yaogan-36 groups within a two-year window mirrors the aggressive early buildout pace China applied to the original Yaogan-30 program in 2017-2018, suggesting a deliberate strategic priority on replacing and expanding beyond that aging constellation.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 303–328 mi (488–527 km)
- Inclination
- 35.0°
- One orbit
- 94.6 minutes15.2 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 54042
- Int’l designator
- 2022-133A
- Launched
- 2022
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
More classified
- YAOGAN-36 02BChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-36 02CChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-36 03AChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-36 03BChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-36 03CChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-36 04AChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)