The Yaogan 1 (Remote Sensing Satellite-1) government remote sensing satellite, likely also used as a military reconnaissance satellite, was
launched by CZ-4C rocket from China's Taiyuan space
center on 26 April 2006. It is China's first space-based synthetic aperture radar
(SAR) system. The military designation of the satellite is Jian Bing-5 (JB-5). The whole
development project was funded by the PLA.
The satellite was built by the Shanghai SAST group, which also builds the Feng Yun
weather satellites.
According to the Chinese media reports, the satellite weights 2700 kg.
Another report confirmed that the JB-5/Remote Sensing Satellite-1 is fitted with a
electronic motor-powered solar panel which expanded under the command from the ground
control station. It is not known which band the JB-5's radar is working, and what
kind of resolution the radar image can achieve.
Yaogan 1 entered a 601 × 621 km × 97.8 deg initial orbit after launch with a CZ-4C; from Apr 29 to May 1 it raised its orbit to 628 × 629 km × 97.8 deg. On 4th February 2010, Yaogan 1 broke up from an internal explosion.
Yaogan 3 was launched in 2007.
In August 2010 Yaogan 10 was launched into a 607 × 621 km × 98.7 deg orbit.
Yaogan 29, launched in November 2015 into the same type orbit, appears to be a modernized successor.
