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YUNHAI-3 01

Chinese GNSS Radio Occultation Weather Satellite (3rd Gen) · CASC / Chinese Military (Assessed)

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The first satellite of China's third-generation Yunhai program, launched in 2022 to Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center rather than Jiuquan — a departure from the earlier Yunhai-1 and Yunhai-2 launch pattern. Yunhai-3 continues the GNSS radio occultation atmospheric sensing mission of Yunhai-2 but represents a technology refresh, incorporating design improvements from four years of operational experience with the earlier constellation. As of 2024, only two Yunhai-3 satellites had reached orbit, suggesting a more measured deployment pace than the immediate six-satellite Yunhai-2 rollout.

Its orbit

Orbit
Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
Altitude
529–530 mi (851–853 km)
Inclination
98.8°
One orbit
101.8 minutes14.1 orbits a day
NORAD ID
54235
Int’l designator
2022-151A
Launched
2022

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.

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