Science
SHIYAN-20A (SY-20A)
Chinese Technology Demonstrator (Unusual Orbit) · CAST (China)
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Shiyan-20A, part of a Chinese satellite trio launched into an unusually specific 60° inclination — a deliberate departure from the sun-synchronous orbits most Chinese technology satellites use. Chinese state media describes the Shiyan-20 series only as testing 'new technologies,' a description vague enough to cover almost anything, consistent with the broader Shiyan program's long pattern of ambiguous public disclosure.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 494–500 mi (794–805 km)
- Inclination
- 60.0°
- One orbit
- 100.7 minutes14.3 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 54699
- Int’l designator
- 2022-169A
- Launched
- 2022
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 23 Sep 2026.
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