Chinese military spy satellite deployed in orbit

[UAE]

Chinese military spy satellite deployed in orbit

A Long March 4B rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan space center in China at 0322 GMT Saturday (11:22 p.m. EST Friday). Credit: Xinhua

China launched a Long March 4B rocket Saturday to deploy a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit 300 miles above Earth.

The Yaogan 26 satellite lifted off at 0322 GMT Saturday (11:22 p.m. EST Friday) from the Taiyuan space center in northern China’s Shanxi province, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Liftoff was at 11:22 a.m. Beijing time.

Chinese state media did not announce the launch in advance, keeping with customary practice for rocket launches with Chinese military satellites.

A 15-story Long March 4B rocket placed the Yaogan 26 spacecraft into a near-circular orbit about 485 kilometers — or 301 miles — above Earth at an inclination of 97.4 degrees, according to tracking data released by the U.S. Air Force’s Space Surveillance Network.

“The satellite will mainly be used for scientific experiments, land surveys, crop yield estimates and disaster prevention,” Xinhua reported.

Yaogan 26’s orbit, launch vehicle and launch site suggest the satellite is a follow-on to a series of military surveillance spacecraft fitted with high-resolution optical cameras to look down on Earth.

The parameters of Yaogan 26’s launch match satellites sent into orbit from China in December 2008, November 2011 and September 2014.

Western analysts believe the Yaogan name is a cover for China’s spy satellite program, with sets of spacecraft dedicated to optical and radar imaging, maritime surveillance, and other missions.

China plans at least one more launch before the end of the year, with liftoff of a Chinese weather satellite aboard a Long March 3A rocket planned for Dec. 31.

Chinese military spy satellite deployed in orbit | Spaceflight Now

 

[drc65]

That's a great post, thanks for the information. I think the more this type of technology is deployed, the more people will fear that it is a threat to their privacy. This would not be the case if this kind of technology was used to make the world a safer place for everyone.

 

[Onionman]

No one should really be surprised as to how advanced the Chinese are in the world of military spyware. Nor should people be surprised that they feel the need to show off to the world and exercise their might. It's just another sign that the world is changing radically and that the old order has shifted.

 

[vegito12]

This shows what china can do and has grown, also survived economy crunch in 2008 and did good business with Australia and has grown well in the economy area and a rich country. The equipment they have is real advanced and act in a responsible way, and have the latest technology which is advanced and doing more in the world. They could be spying but may word it the other way so people think they are just doing research and studies and they are doing science work in space.