In 4Q25, PLA parked two “Signals Intelligence” (SIGINT) satellites over Mideast to harvest electronic emissions. MizarVision images that caused an internet stir are from China’s Jilin-1 imaging satellites and released by Beijing to message US and Israel that China is watching, and therefore, Iran is watching every move they make.
“Every breath you take / And every move you make / Every step you take / I’ll be watching you / Every single day / And every word you say / Every game you play / I’ll be watching you”
Preface
Jilin-1 lets Iran & China see “every move you make”; and TJS lets them hear “every word you say” (not “every” word, of course; see “SIGINT” below). On Jilin-1, see “China’s Eyes, Iran’s Fist: PLA’s Satellites & IRGC’s ‘Kill Chain’.”
SIGINT
SIGINT broadly refers to collection and analysis of electronic emissions. SIGINT includes subsets as: “communications intelligence” (COMINT), for e.g., landline and mobile comms (voice, SMS, and data), radio chatter, Morse code, email, and satellite transmissions; “electronic intelligence” (ELINT), viz., radar and microwave transmissions; specifications of the emitters; and the geolocation of signals (geolocation is indispensable for targeting mobile assets like ships and air defense batteries).
US/Israeli military communications are encrypted, but “pattern analysis” can yield info. For e.g., increased electronic activity (“chatter”) indicates something’s brewing. Unencrypted emails and talk and texts on mobiles yield intelligence. For e.g., a whistleblower complaint against DNI relates to a recording made by NSA of two mobile phone users talking about Jared Kusher. Donald Trump is, of course, preventing disclosure of the conversation to Congress.
TJS Satellites
“Tongxin Jishu Shiyan” (TJS) series are MILSATs. Several are in Geostationary Orbit (GEO: ≈ 35,000km); othe TJS models are in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Twenty-two (22) TJS satellites are listed in the US-controlled NORAD database (CelesTrak data on 20 March 2026). In October and December 2025, two new TJS GEO satellites, TJS-20 and TJS-22, joined TJS-2 over the Mideast (they are located between 62°E and 66.5°E).
When the orbital location of a satellite falls within the range 62–62.6°E, this indicates space drift (this happens). TJS-2 and TJS-22 are not “pure” GEO (0°, that is, Equator), but “inclined GEO” (IGEO): 0.6° to 1.7°, allowing for extended surface area coverage by tracing a small “figure-8” pattern every day.
TJS-20, also IGEO, has a higher incline, 5.7°, which allows the satellite to trace a larger (ca. 630km) north–south “figure-8” (from latitudes 5.7°N to 5.7°S). TJS-2, -20, and -22 have persistent line-of-sight to: Middle East, India, Pakistan, western China, east Africa, parts of Central Asia and related bodies of water.
The mass of TJS series satellites range from 6,000 to 10,000kg; large (10–32m) deployable reflector antennas. Details classified, so, best OSINT estimates. TJS sats can be tracked at celestrak.org or n2yo.com by their NORAD nunber. TJS functions are similar to US NRO’s “Orion” (a/k/a “Mentor”) SIGINT satellites. Orion mass: 4,500–5,200kg; antennae: 20–30m (some claim ≈100 m). Quantity: ≈12.
TJS-2 (NORAD No. 41911; 5 Jan 2017; 66.5–66.6°E):
Mass: 5,000–7,000kg. “Radar Cross Section” (RCS) not available (size indeterminable). IR sensors for ballistic missile early warning + reflectors for SIGINT (like later TJS models).
TJS-20 (NORAD No. 66142; 23 Oct 2025; 62–62.6°E):
Mass: > 6,000kg dry (dry = minus fuel); RCS ≈ 64 m²; shape: box + 2 panels + 1 dish.
TJS-22 (NORAD No 66990; 09 Dec 2025; 66.5°E):
Mass: > 5,000kg dry; RCS ≈ 55.8 m²; box + 2 panels + 1 dish (similar to TJS-20).
Last Word
PLA sats are for China’s national security, and since Iran is integral to China’s long-term interests, Beijing shares select intel with Iran. Israel benefits from NRO’s sats. Likewise, Iran benefits from China’s “eyes and ears.”
Perspectives 