Yaogan 1, 3, 10 (JB-5 1, 2, 3)

Yaogan 1 (JB-5 1)

The Yaogan 1 (Remote Sensing Satellite-1) remote sensing 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 2700kg.

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. It was likely of the same type.