TJS-12

MilitaryGEOEquatorialChina

TJS-12 is a military satellite, as listed in Jonathan McDowell's GCAT catalogue, with ownership listed as China in CelesTrak's catalogue, currently in a geostationary orbit about 35,788 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 0.4°. It was launched in 2024. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 62374
COSPAR ID: 2024-246A
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,788 km
Apogee (highest): 35,797 km
Inclination: 0.44°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 2024
Owner (CelesTrak): China

Orbital data updated: 2026-10-18 · from CelesTrak, refreshed every 2 hours.

Who operates it

ChinaLIVEActive

Missile warning (unconfirmed)

GCAT lists it as Tongxin Jishu Shiyan 12.

Official description

“Communication Technology Test Satellite 12 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, 20 Dec 2024

azmth's translation · Show original

通信技术试验卫星十二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 missile warning (unconfirmed) 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.

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About GEO orbit

Geostationary Orbit. Exactly 35,786 km above the equator. Satellites here orbit at the same rate Earth rotates, so they appear stationary in the sky. Used for TV, weather, and communications.