GAOFEN 1

GAOFEN 1 is an active satellite operated by China National Academy of Sciences (CNSAS) (China), launched on 2013-04-26 from Jiuquan, China. After 13 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 629 km and 651 km with an inclination of 97.9°. It travels at approximately 27,144 km/h (7.54 km/s), completing one full orbit every 98 minutes — that’s roughly 14.77 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 ~10–25 years. Orbital Radar tracks GAOFEN 1 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

GAOFEN 1 orbits at an average altitude of 640 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 GAOFEN 1’s average altitude, there are currently 741 active payloads and 929 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include TERRA, AQUA, ONEWEB-0050. With an inclination of 97.9°, GAOFEN 1 passes over latitudes between 97.9°N and 97.9°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 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 155 share a similar altitude band with GAOFEN 1.