CHUANG XIN 1-03

CHUANG XIN 1-03 is an active satellite operated by Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), launched on 2011-11-20 from Jiuquan, China. After 15 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 778 km and 801 km with an inclination of 98.7°. It travels at approximately 26,860 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.31 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. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks CHUANG XIN 1-03 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

CHUANG XIN 1-03 orbits at an average altitude of 790 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 CHUANG XIN 1-03’s average altitude, there are currently 421 active payloads and 2,242 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0179, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 98.7°, CHUANG XIN 1-03 passes over latitudes between 98.7°N and 98.7°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 1,218 active satellites in total, of which 95 share a similar altitude band with CHUANG XIN 1-03.