YAOGAN-40 02C

YAOGAN-40 02C is an active satellite operated by PLA Strategic Support Force (China), launched on 2025-05-11 from Taiyuan, China. As a relatively recent addition to the catalogue, its orbital elements are well-characterised. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 849 km and 853 km with an inclination of 86.0°. It travels at approximately 26,745 km/h (7.43 km/s), completing one full orbit every 102 minutes — that’s roughly 14.12 orbits per day. 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 ~100–500 years. Orbital Radar tracks YAOGAN-40 02C in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

YAOGAN-40 02C orbits at an average altitude of 851 km in the upper LEO band, where atmospheric drag is negligible and objects can persist for centuries to millennia. This altitude is used by broadband constellations like OneWeb and by scientific missions requiring stable orbits far from the densest debris bands. Within ±50 km of YAOGAN-40 02C’s average altitude, there are currently 268 active payloads and 2,031 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0179, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 86.0°, YAOGAN-40 02C passes over latitudes between 86.0°N and 86.0°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 138 share a similar altitude band with YAOGAN-40 02C.