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CLASSIFIED

YAOGAN-39 01A

Chinese Military Reconnaissance (Mixed-Sensor Triplet) · CASC / PLA

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The first satellite of an entirely new Chinese reconnaissance family — Yaogan-39 — that appeared in the same orbital band long occupied by China's most opaque naval surveillance program. Nobody has publicly confirmed what changed between this family and the ones it seems to be replacing. What is certain: China does not build new triplet formations for satellites with nothing to hide.

Its orbit

Orbit
Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
Altitude
314–317 mi (505–510 km)
Inclination
35.0°
One orbit
94.6 minutes15.2 orbits a day
NORAD ID
57727
Int’l designator
2023-130A
Launched
2023

Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 23 Sep 2026.

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