CLASSIFIED
YAOGAN-36 05A
Chinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation) · CASC / PLA
Right now
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Lead satellite of Yaogan-36 group 05, the fifth iteration of a formation whose real purpose has never once been confirmed outside China. Each new group looks identical to the last — same three-satellite spacing, same low-inclination orbit, same official cover story. The pattern itself is the tell: China doesn't build five generations of a civilian land-survey mission with this much secrecy.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 314–316 mi (505–509 km)
- Inclination
- 35.0°
- One orbit
- 94.6 minutes15.2 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 57452
- Int’l designator
- 2023-106A
- Launched
- 2023
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
More classified
- YAOGAN-36 05BChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-36 05CChinese Military SAR Imaging (Assessed Triplet Constellation)
- YAOGAN-37Chinese Military Reconnaissance (Classified)
- YAOGAN-39 01AChinese Military Reconnaissance (Mixed-Sensor Triplet)
- YAOGAN-39 01BChinese Military Reconnaissance (Mixed-Sensor Triplet)
- YAOGAN-39 01CChinese Military Reconnaissance (Mixed-Sensor Triplet)