OBJECT B

OBJECT B (NORAD ID 69738) is a space object catalogued under China, launched on 2026-07-01 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China on the HY-2E launch. As a relatively recent addition to the catalogue, its orbital elements are well-characterised. Independent catalogue analysis identifies this object as CZ-4B Stage 3, attributed to CNSA. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 649 km and 934 km with an inclination of 99.3°. It travels at approximately 26,856 km/h (7.46 km/s), completing one full orbit every 101 minutes — that’s roughly 14.30 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 OBJECT B in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.

OBJECT B orbits at an average altitude of 792 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 OBJECT B’s average altitude, there are currently 437 active payloads and 2,471 tracked debris or rocket body fragments — notable neighbours include NOAA 20, ONEWEB-0455. With an inclination of 99.3°, OBJECT B passes over latitudes between 99.3°N and 99.3°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 1,330 active satellites in total, of which 64 share a similar altitude band with OBJECT B.