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Issue 133

08 Flash · Integrity Flash 2025 · Members Only

Yaogan-43 Update

31 Oct 2025: The Yaogan-43 01 formation (60458-60466) continues to change. Back in April I noted that 5 of the 9 satellites had ceased maintaining their average altitudes resulting in a break in formation and increasing RAAN differentials. Revisiting the orbits for all 9 satellites it appears China may be operating…

Author Greg Gillinger Published November 10, 2025

31 Oct 2025: The Yaogan-43 01 formation (60458-60466) continues to change. Back in April I noted that 5 of the 9 satellites had ceased maintaining their average altitudes resulting in a break in formation and increasing RAAN differentials. Revisiting the orbits for all 9 satellites it appears China may be operating them in three separate formations of three satellites. Specifically, Group 1: YG-43 01 B/J/A (60459, 60466, 60458), Group 2: YG-43 01 D/G/F (60461, 60464, 60463), and Group 3: YG-43 01 C/H/E (60460, 60465, 60462). We do not know the specific capabilities of any of the Yaogan-43 satellites, “reportedly these are different satellites from several manufacturers.” China may be creating these sub-groups to test tip-cue capabilities from differing sensor types.

– Overview

  • The three groups are orbiting at 3 distinct altitudes (SMA) with 2 of the 3 satellites at closely matched altitudes while the third satellite maintains a slightly higher orbit.
  • In all three groups the RAAN difference between the satellites with matched SMA values is ~0.2°. The RAAN difference between the third satellite and the first 2 satellites is >2.2°.


– Group 1: YG-43 01 B/J/A

  • YG-43 01 B and J have an identical SMA of 478.5km (as of 31 October). Neither satellite has maneuvered in the past 7 months (19 Mar for 43 01B and 12 Mar for 43 01J). The satellites maintain a separation of ~849 seconds with 01B in the lead of 01J.
  • YG-43 01A maneuvered more recently than either 01B or J (12 July) in is orbiting 3.7km higher than the 01B/J pair. 01A currently has a east RAAN offset of ~2.66°


– Group 2: YG-43 01 D/G/F

  • Unlike Group 1 all three Group 2 satellites maneuvered recently (Aug 2025). 43-01D maneuvered on 10 Aug, 01G on 9 Aug, and 01F on 12 Aug.
  • YG-43 01 D and G have an identical SMA of 488.7km. The satellites maintain a separation of ~518 seconds with 01D in the lead of 01G.
  • YG-43 01F is orbiting 0.9km higher than the 01D/G pair. 01F currently has a east RAAN offset of ~2.29°.

– Group 3: YG-43 01 C/H/E

  • China has maintained the original YG-43 orbit of ~495km most closely with Group 3. The satellites maneuver frequently: 43-01C maneuvered on 29 Sep, 01H on 10 Oct, and 01E on 30 Oct.
  • YG-43 01 C and H have an identical SMA within 0.3km of one another at ~496km. The satellites maintain a separation of ~259 seconds (curiously this is half of Group 2) with 01C in the lead of 01H.
  • YG-43 01E is orbiting 1.6km higher than the 01C/H pair. 01E currently has a west RAAN offset of ~2.22°.


– While We’re Here: A Quick Look at YG-43 02/03

  • The 9 satellites that make up the YG-43 02 (60945-60950) and YG-43 03 (61617-61619) remain largely in formation. The one exception is YG-43 02A (60945) which last maneuvered in late-April 2025 and is now orbiting nearly 25km lower than the other 8 satellites.
  • The remaining 8 satellites are remaining within 0.1km in altitude (SMA). As a result they are closely maintaining their relative positions with one another.