TJS-1/4/9/12 (suspected Qianshao-3 SIGINT)

Suspected SIGINT satellitesIn servicePending verification

Also known as: Qianshao-3

SpaceCHN

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Fact cardConfidence · Source

System

TypeSuspected SIGINT satellites

Alternative designationsQianshao-3

ProliferationOrigin country only

Satellites4TJS 1 (2015), 4 (2019), 9 (2021), 12 (2024)Med^[1]

First launch2015Med^[1]

Orbit

Orbit regimeGEOMed^[1]

Catalogued on orbit4Payloads with current element sets in the public catalog, active or not.High^[2]

Active (CelesTrak)4Count in the CelesTrak active satellites list, which estimates operational status.Med^[2]

Perigee35,759–35,784 kmActive satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[2]

Apogee35,790–35,814 kmActive satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[2]

Orbital period1,436.1 minActive satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[2]

Inclination0.05–0.69 °Active satellites per CelesTrak, element epoch about 2026-11-08.High^[2]

Catalogued satellites · 4^[2]

Name	NORAD	COSPAR	Perigee km	Apogee km	Incl. °	Period min	Status
TJS-1	40892	2015-046A	35,777	35,796	0.69	1436.1	Active
TJS-4	44637	2019-070A	35,759	35,814	0.05	1436.1	Active
TJS-9	50574	2021-135A	35,772	35,802	0.05	1436.1	Active
TJS-12	62374	2024-246A	35,784	35,790	0.41	1436.1	Active

Mean elements at epoch 2026-11-08 or later. Perigee and apogee are computed from mean motion and eccentricity and are approximate. Status follows the CelesTrak active list.

Summary

Chinese GEO satellites described as communications tests but likely signals intelligence, with a reported ~32 m antenna.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.

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Operators

China

Sources

TJS 1, 4, 9 (Qianshao-3), Gunter's Space Page
Tier 3 · checked 2026-11-08
NORAD GP element sets (current data), CelesTrak (data from the U.S. Space Force 18th/19th Space Defense Squadron catalog)
Published/updated 2026-11-08 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-11-08

Change log

2026-11-08 Entry created from cited open sources
2026-11-08 Orbital elements from CelesTrak GP data (epoch about 2026-11-08): 4 catalogued, 4 active.