TJS-16

MilitaryGEOEquatorialChina

TJS-16 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 35,784 km above the equator. It completes one orbit of Earth roughly every 1436 minutes at an inclination of 1.4°. It was launched in 2025. Track its live position and see when it passes over your location on azmth.

Orbital data

NORAD ID: 63397
COSPAR ID: 2025-064A
Type: Military
Orbit: GEO
Perigee (lowest): 35,784 km
Apogee (highest): 35,804 km
Inclination: 1.40°
Orbital period: 1436 min
Launch year: 2025
Owner (CelesTrak): China

Orbital data updated: 2026-10-15 · from CelesTrak, refreshed every 2 hours.

Who operates it

ChinaLIVEActive

Technology test

GCAT lists it as Tongxin Jishu Shiyan 16.

Official description

“Communication Technology Test Satellite 16 is mainly used to verify multi-band, high-rate satellite communication technology.”

Xinhua, 30 Mar 2025

azmth's translation · Show original

通信技术试验卫星十六号主要用于开展多频段、高速率卫星通信技术验证。

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 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.