Yaogan
NORAD ID: 36834
Int'l Code: 2010-038A
Perigee: 629.9 km
Apogee: 631.5 km
Inclination: 97.9 °
Period: 97.2 minutes
Semi major axis: 7001 km
Launch date: August 9, 2010
Source: People's Republic of China (PRC)
Comments: YAOGAN 10 is a secret Chinese reconnaissance satellite. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported Yaogan 10 will conduct scientific experiments, carry out land surveys, estimate crop yields and help respond to natural disasters. But the Yaogan satellite is likely a military asset with a synthetic aperture radar system designed to observe locations in all weather and lighting conditions. Observers believe the Yaogan series, which began launching in 2006, is a new fleet of high-resolution optical and radar reconaissance satellites. Alternating launches from Taiyuan and the Jiuquan space base in northwestern China have orbited radar and electro-optical spy satellites. The most recent Yaogan launch in March included three spacecraft that are believed to be naval observation satellites. China announced Monday's launch about 24 hours in advance, a typical policy for most Chinese military payloads.
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Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 36834U 10038A 14207.48055564 .00000129 00000-0 22917-4 0 4045
2 36834 097.8696 203.1839 0001121 075.8733 284.2609 14.81821750214099
Source: AFSPC
NASA's NSSDC Master Catalog entry for YAOGAN 10
