Overview

• Shiyan-28B 01 launched July 3 aboard a Long March 4C rocket vanished from space trackers until the U.S. Space Force catalogued it six days later in a 794×796 km orbit.
• Its inclination was reduced from the planned 35° to 11° through an unannounced dogleg trajectory and three second-stage engine burns.
• This 11° tilt is the first of its kind for China’s space program and enables repeated passes over the South China Sea and Indian Ocean.
• Experts say the satellite’s stealthy profile and novel orbit suggest a mission focused on regional monitoring or experimental communications tests.
• NASA and other international observers are closely monitoring the satellite’s activity because of concerns over Beijing’s opaque orbital maneuvers.