LINGQIAO VIDEO B
NORAD 40960
Payload
LEO
2015-057C
● Active
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LEO · NORAD 40960
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Altitude (km)
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Speed (km/s)
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Latitude
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Longitude
🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
626 km
Apogee
648 km
Inclination
97.7°
Period
97.5 min
Mean Motion
14.77503547 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-06-19 07:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude637 km
Orbital Velocity27,150 km/h
Velocity7.54 km/s
Orbital Period97 minutes
Orbits / Day14.78
Eccentricity0.0016
Semi-Major Axis7,008 km
Orbit ClassSun-Synchronous (SSO)
Est. Orbital Lifetime~10–25 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇨🇳 Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (China)
Launch Date
2015-10-07
Launch Site
Jiuquan, China
Int'l Designator
2015-057C
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Medium (0.1–1 m²)
📖 About This Object
LINGQIAO VIDEO B is an active satellite operated by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (China), launched on 2015-10-07 from Jiuquan, China. After 11 years in orbit, it continues to be tracked by global surveillance networks. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 626 km and 648 km with an inclination of 97.7°. It travels at approximately 27,150 km/h (7.54 km/s), completing one full orbit every 97 minutes — that’s roughly 14.78 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 LINGQIAO VIDEO B in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
LINGQIAO VIDEO B orbits at an average altitude of 637 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 LINGQIAO VIDEO B’s average altitude, there are currently 761 active payloads and 896 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include AQUA, ONEWEB-0050. With an inclination of 97.7°, LINGQIAO VIDEO B passes over latitudes between 97.7°N and 97.7°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 1,219 active satellites in total, of which 155 share a similar altitude band with LINGQIAO VIDEO B.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
LINGQIAO VIDEO B is in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), a specialised form of LEO at approximately 637 km altitude. Its 97.7° inclination causes the orbital plane to precess at exactly the rate of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, so the satellite crosses each latitude at a consistent local solar time. It completes one orbit every 97 minutes, travelling at 27,150 km/h.
LINGQIAO VIDEO B is operated by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. (China). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 40960. You can track LINGQIAO VIDEO B in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker or browse all operators in the operator directory.
LINGQIAO VIDEO B was launched on 2015-10-07 from Jiuquan, China, one of China’s oldest launch centres in the Gobi Desert, used for crewed Shenzhou missions and LEO satellites. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~10–25 years. View the full satellite launch log.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks LINGQIAO VIDEO B (NORAD ID 40960) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time. You can also browse the satellite directory to find other tracked objects.
LINGQIAO VIDEO B travels at approximately 27,150 km/h (16,870 mph) — roughly 7.54 km/s. It completes 14.78 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 30 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.