# Ziyuan 2-03

> Chinese reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111497414](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111497414)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ziyuan-2-03

## Summary
Ziyuan 2-03 is a Chinese reconnaissance satellite launched on November 6, 2004, as part of the Ziyuan series. It was deployed into orbit from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 4B rocket.

## Key Facts
- Ziyuan 2-03 is a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Ziyuan series
- Launched on November 6, 2004 at 03:10 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- Deployed using a Long March 4B (Y8) rocket
- Has aliases: ZY-2 03, Jianbing-3 03, JB-3 3, JB-3 C, Zi Yuan 2-03
- SCN number: 28470
- COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID: 2004-044A
- Country of origin: People's Republic of China
- Classified as part of the Ziyuan-2 sub-series

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ziyuan 2-03?
A: Ziyuan 2-03 is a Chinese reconnaissance satellite launched on November 6, 2004, as part of the Ziyuan series. It was deployed into orbit from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 4B rocket.

### Q: What was the purpose of Ziyuan 2-03?
A: As a reconnaissance satellite, Ziyuan 2-03 was designed to covertly collect intelligence and military data from orbit. It served China's national security and defense surveillance capabilities.

### Q: How does Ziyuan 2-03 relate to other satellites in the Ziyuan series?
A: Ziyuan 2-03 belongs to the Ziyuan series, a family of Chinese satellites. It specifically follows the naming convention where "2" indicates it's part of the Ziyuan-2 sub-series, with "03" signifying it's the third satellite in that sub-series.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Ziyuan 2-03?
A: Ziyuan 2-03 was launched using a Long March 4B rocket (specifically the Y8 variant) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on November 6, 2004.

## Why It Matters
Ziyuan 2-03 represents China's commitment to developing indigenous satellite capabilities for intelligence gathering and military applications. As a reconnaissance satellite, it contributes to China's ability to monitor global developments, enhance national security, and support defense operations. The satellite's successful deployment using the Long March 4B rocket demonstrated China's advancing space launch capabilities and reliability of its domestic aerospace technologies. Part of the broader Ziyuan program, Ziyuan 2-03 helps establish China's presence in the remote sensing and reconnaissance satellite domain, reducing reliance on foreign technologies. The satellite continues to serve as part of China's comprehensive earth observation network, supporting various applications including cartography, environmental monitoring, and disaster assessment.

## Notable For
- Part of the Ziyuan series, China's indigenous reconnaissance satellite program
- Successfully launched using a domestically developed Long March 4B rocket
- Operates under multiple aliases including Jianbing-3 03, JB-3 3, and JB-3 C
- Member of the Ziyuan-2 sub-series, indicating advanced capabilities
- Uses the COSPAR ID 2004-044A, making it easily traceable in international satellite registries

## Body
### Identification and Classification
Ziyuan 2-03 is a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Ziyuan series, which is a family of Chinese satellites. The satellite is specifically part of the Ziyuan-2 sub-series, with the "03" designation indicating it is the third satellite in that sub-series.

### Technical Specifications
- SCN (Satellite Catalog Number): 28470
- COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID: 2004-044A
- Country of origin: People's Republic of China
- Alternative designations: ZY-2 03, Jianbing-3 03, JB-3 3, JB-3 C, Zi Yuan 2-03
- Primary function: Intelligence gathering and military reconnaissance

### Mission and Launch Details
- Launch date: November 6, 2004
- Launch time: 03:10 (UTC)
- Launch site: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- Launch vehicle: Long March 4B (Y8)
- Mission type: Rocket launch
- Point of origin for mission: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center

### Program Context
Ziyuan 2-03 is part of the broader Ziyuan program, China's series of earth observation satellites. The Ziyuan program includes both the Ziyuan-1 series (designed for civilian earth observation) and the Ziyuan-2 series (developed for military reconnaissance purposes). The satellite represents China's continued development of indigenous space capabilities, including both satellite technology and launch vehicles.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report