TJS-13

MilitaryHEOMolniyaGTOChina

TJS-13 is a military satellite, as listed in Jonathan McDowell's GCAT catalogue, with ownership listed as China in CelesTrak's catalogue, currently in a highly elliptical orbit ranging from 1,648 km to 38,728 km. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 718 minutes at an inclination of 63.9°. It was launched in 2024. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 62188
COSPAR ID: 2024-227A
Type: Military
Orbit: HEO
Perigee (lowest): 1,648 km
Apogee (highest): 38,728 km
Inclination: 63.85°
Orbital period: 718 min
Launch year: 2024
Owner (CelesTrak): China

Orbital data updated: 2026-10-06 · from CelesTrak, refreshed every 2 hours.

Who operates it

ChinaLIVEActive

Technology test

GCAT lists it as Tongxin Jishu Shiyan 13.

Official description

“Communication Technology Test Satellite 13 is mainly used for satellite communications, radio and television broadcasting, data transmission and similar services, and to carry out related technology tests and verification.”

Xinhua, 3 Dec 2024

azmth's translation · Show original

通信技术试验卫星十三号主要用于卫星通信、广播电视、数据传输等业务，并开展相关技术试验验证。

China National Space Administration, 4 Dec 2024

azmth's translation · Show original

通信技术试验卫星十三号主要用于卫星通信、广播电视、数据传输等业务，并开展相关技术试验验证。

Independent assessment

GCAT classes it as a military satellite for technology testing and records it as active (17 Oct 2026).

Data: GCAT · CC BY 4.0 Class, mission and status adapted from GCAT by Jonathan McDowell, CC BY 4.0, data update 17 Oct 2026.

Military satellites, counted and explained →

About HEO orbit

Highly Elliptical Orbit. An elongated orbit that swings close to Earth at perigee and far away at apogee. Includes Molniya and Tundra orbits used for high-latitude coverage.