China launches 3rd Yaogan satellite into space, the data about it is kept secret

China continues to strengthen its classified Yaogan series satellite constellation with the successful launch of two Long March rockets, reaffirming its presence in space technology and surveillance capabilities.

In a remarkable display of space prowess, a Long March 4C rocket took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on September 7, at precisely 2:14 p.m. EDT (1814 GMT, or 02:14 a.m. Beijing time on September 7). Carried on board was the Yaogan 33 (03), marking the third installment in the Yaogan 33 series of classified Chinese remote sensing satellites, as confirmed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The satellite, now situated in a near-polar orbit at an altitude of 618 by 688 kilometers (384 x 428 miles), has been closely monitored by the U.S. Space Force's space domain tracking systems.

The primary objectives for Yaogan 33 (03) include scientific experiments, land resource surveys, crop yield estimation, and disaster prevention and relief efforts, as reported by Chinese state media. However, the specific details of the satellite's capabilities and mission remain undisclosed, consistent with the typical approach for Yaogan missions.

Previous reports have indicated that Yaogan 33 (03) is likely part of a series of space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. SAR satellites are renowned for their ability to capture high-resolution images of the Earth's surface, even through cloud cover and during nighttime.

This new addition to the Yaogan 33 series joins two predecessors already in orbit. It's worth noting that an earlier satellite, presumably to be named Yaogan 33, was lost during a failed Long March 4C launch in 2019.

Furthermore, just a week prior to the recent launch, China marked another milestone with the deployment of three Yaogan 39 satellites. These three spacecraft embarked on their mission atop a Long March 2D rocket, lifting off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 3:36 a.m. EDT (0736 GMT; 15:36 p.m. Beijing time) on August 31. Like their Yaogan 33 counterparts, the Yaogan 39 missions were shrouded in secrecy, with limited details provided by both CASC and Chinese state media.

These missions, the 39th and 41st orbital launches of 2023 for China, flanked a significant event in the country's space endeavors - the maiden sea launch conducted by the Chinese commercial firm Galactic Energy, which successfully utilized its Ceres-1 solid rocket on September 5.

China's continued commitment to expanding its satellite network underscores its growing influence in the realm of space technology and surveillance capabilities. With multiple classified satellites now in orbit, the nation remains at the forefront of space exploration and innovation.