CZ-2C DEB

CZ-2C DEB is a tracked piece of space debris attributed to China, launched on 2011-07-06 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China on the shijian shi yihao 03 xin launch. After 15 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 221 km and 233 km with an inclination of 98.2°. It travels at approximately 27,981 km/h (7.77 km/s), completing one full orbit every 89 minutes — that’s roughly 16.17 orbits per day. Its near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit means it passes over any given point on Earth at approximately the same local solar time, ideal for consistent Earth observation lighting conditions. Its near-circular orbit (eccentricity close to zero) means it maintains a very consistent altitude throughout each revolution. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is weeks to months. As orbital debris, CZ-2C DEB poses a potential collision risk to operational satellites in nearby orbits and is continuously monitored by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network and other tracking systems.

CZ-2C DEB orbits at an average altitude of 227 km in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised subset of LEO where the orbital plane precesses to maintain a constant angle relative to the Sun. This provides consistent lighting conditions on every pass — essential for Earth observation, weather monitoring and environmental science. Within ±50 km of CZ-2C DEB’s average altitude, there are currently 40 active payloads and 5 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include STARLINK-1209, STARLINK-1212, STARLINK-1267. This is a relatively sparse altitude band, containing less than 1% of all active satellites. With an inclination of 98.2°, CZ-2C DEB passes over latitudes between 98.2°N and 98.2°S, providing near-global coverage including the polar regions. Polar and near-polar orbits are used for reconnaissance, weather monitoring and Earth-observation missions that need to image every part of the planet. China operates approximately 1,650 active satellites in total, of which 4 share a similar altitude band with CZ-2C DEB.