Science & Tech · Space · 1 day ago
Tianjin’s first locally developed commercial weather satellite enters orbit
A rocket launched four satellites into orbit from Jiuquan on November 7, including Yunyao-1 28.
Built in Tianjin by Yunyao Aerospace, it is Tianjin’s first locally developed commercial weather satellite.
Its equipment can collect data about the atmosphere, ionosphere, oceans and land, which can support weather forecasts, shipping and renewable energy planning.
The satellite will also test a robotic arm and other equipment for commercial operations in space.
Yunyao Aerospace says it has launched 48 commercial weather satellites, and their data are already used in China’s national weather observation system.
The company’s planned weather satellite network is expected to achieve global coverage within two years.
Tianjin’s first locally developed commercial weather satellite entered a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit on November 7, 2026.
The YunYao-1 28 satellite was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Ceres-2 Y3 rocket with three other satellites.
It was designed and developed by Tianjin YunYao Aerospace Technology Co., with its overall design, assembly, environmental testing and final testing completed in Tianjin.
Its instruments will collect data on the atmosphere, ionosphere, oceans and land for uses including weather forecasting and maritime weather navigation.
The company said it plans to complete global coverage for its YunYao weather satellite constellation within two years.
- Who
- Tianjin YunYao Aerospace Technology Co. developed the YunYao-1 28 satellite.
- What
- Tianjin’s first locally developed commercial weather satellite entered orbit.
- When
- November 7, 2026, at 7:37 a.m. Beijing time.
- Where
- It was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and entered a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
- Why
- It will collect data for uses including numerical weather forecasting, weather navigation for ocean shipping and renewable-energy power prediction.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone began developing its aerospace industry.
A Ceres-2 Y3 rocket launched YunYao-1 28 and three other satellites from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The company plans to complete global coverage for its YunYao weather satellite constellation.
- Satellite
- YunYao-1 28, also known as the Jinshan World satellite
- Orbit
- 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit
- Launch time
- November 7, 2026, at 7:37 a.m. Beijing time
- Launch vehicle
- Ceres-2 Y3
- Satellites launched
- Four, including YunYao-1 28
- Company’s constellation
- 48 commercial weather satellites launched to date