SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C)

SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C) is an active satellite operated by CASC (China), launched on 2022-10-29 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China on the Shiyan 20C launch. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 775 km and 811 km with an inclination of 60.0°. It travels at approximately 26,853 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.30 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C) in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C) orbits at an average altitude of 793 km in the mid-LEO band, where atmospheric drag is minimal but radiation exposure remains manageable. Objects at this altitude persist for decades to centuries, making debris mitigation critical. This regime is popular for remote sensing constellations and scientific instruments that need stable, long-duration orbits. Within ±50 km of SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C)’s average altitude, there are currently 440 active payloads and 2,502 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 60.0°, SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C) passes over latitudes between 60.0°N and 60.0°S, covering most populated land masses in both hemispheres. This mid-inclination band balances global coverage with efficient launch energy requirements. China operates approximately 1,341 active satellites in total, of which 65 share a similar altitude band with SHIYAN 20C (SY-20C).