Military
NORAD ID: 36834
Int'l Code: 2010-038A
Perigee: 631.4 km
Apogee: 634.1 km
Inclination: 97.8 °
Period: 97.2 minutes
Semi major axis: 7003 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.
Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 36834U 10038A 13169.25788343 .00000274 00000-0 41880-4 0 1828
2 36834 097.8493 167.4313 0001937 096.2880 263.8555 14.81181081154393
Source: AFSPC
NASA's NSSDC Master Catalog entry for YAOGAN 10
