Yunhai-3 is the third set of satellites in a series of Chinese meteorological satellites developed by the Chinese military. The satellites are built by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and then transported to Taiyuan for launch. Their main uses are in the fields of atmospheric data for weather prediction, ionosphere, gravity and climate research, as well as disaster prevention. Like the Yunhai-2 series, the satellites reportedly use the Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO).[1]
Satellites
As of March 29, 2024, there are 2 satellites in the Yunhai-3 constellation in orbit, Yunhai-3 01 and Yunhai-3 02.
| Name | COSPAR | Launch Date | Launch Vehicle | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yunhai-3 01 | 2022-151A | November 11, 2022 | Long March 6A | Success |
| Yunhai-3 02 | 2024-058A | March 26, 2024 | Long March 6A | Success |
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Yunhai-3 01
Yunhai-3 01 was launched on November 11, 2022, aboard a Long March 6A rocket from LC-9A at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China. It was launched into a sun-synchronous orbit and given the COSPAR ID "2022-151A". It was placed into an ~856 x 855 km orbit with an inclination of 98.8 degrees. The satellite is still in operation as of March 29, 2024.[2][3] The upper stage of the Long March 6A used to launch Yunhai-3 01 broke up in orbit into 37 pieces of debris, possibly due to a propellant explosion. Nine of the 37 pieces of debris currently remain in orbit.[4][5]
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Yunhai-3 02
Yunhai-3 02 was launched on March 26, 2024, on a Long March 6A from LC-9A at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. It was also launched into a sun-synchronous orbit. As of March 29, 2024, it is in an ~864 x 847 km orbit with an inclination of 98.82 degrees.[6][7]
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References
- ^ Jones, Andrew (2024-03-27). "Long March 6A launches second Yunhai-3 satellite". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Technical details for satellite YUNHAI 3". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Yunhai-3 01". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ Andrew Jones (2022-11-14). "Chinese rocket body breaks up in orbit after successful satellite launch". Space.com. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (2024-03-27). "Long March 6A launches second Yunhai-3 satellite". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Technical details for satellite YUNHAI 3-02". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "CelesTrak: International Designator 2024-058". celestrak.org. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
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