Latest news with #COMSPOC
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
What is China really doing in space? Mysterious satellite maneuver stuns experts
China's activities in space have recently taken a quiet but significant turn, which might be a sign of a major evolution in how we think about satellite operations. In today's world, technology, sustainability, and national security are intertwined with one another. Such missions seem to explore the possibilities far above Earth. Recent movements by China in geostationary orbit are being closely watched by the space community, which has posted the observations on its official X handle. On January 6, 2025, a Long March 3B rocket launched from Xichang carried Shijian‑25 into geostationary transfer orbit. Built by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), it's officially tasked with 'satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technology verification,' reported Shijian-21 was launched in October 2021 on a Long March 3B rocket. Its mission was to dock with an old, no longer working satellite called Beidou-2 G2 and move it to a safe, out-of-the-way orbit above the regular geostationary satellites. This 'graveyard orbit' helps keep space clear and prevents collisions with active satellites. Both these Chinese satellites made a close approach in June Ground‑based tracking by S2A Systems detected Shijian‑21 and ‑25 converging in GEO during mid‑June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo On June 14, they were 'virtually unresolvable from the other,' indicating a close rendezvous, which is likely expected to be a docking test, as reported by Observations also noted earlier manoeuvres on June 13 and 14, and an expected rendezvous around June 11 based on their orbital trajectories. How can this test be useful? Refuelling and servicing satellites in GEO could drastically extend their service life, reduce space debris, and lower launch demands. Shijian‑25 was intended to rendezvous with Shijian‑21 because they are in a phased orbit, which means sharing orbital elements but staggered in longitude, which can result in lowering the fuel needed for proximity operations. Although this mission is described as a civilian technology test, the close movements of the satellites have raised some concerns. According to COMSPOC OPS on social media, two US satellites, called USA 270 and USA 271, are nearby, probably keeping an eye on the Chinese satellites. COMSPOC explained, 'USA 270 and 271 now flank SJ-21 and SJ-25 from the east and west—potentially enabling favorable sun angles depending on the timing of closest approach. ' According to COMSPOC, the ongoing activity between China's Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites is unfolding in a particularly busy and sensitive area of geostationary orbit (GEO). COMSPOC also stated clearly, 'While these U.S. assets aren't directly involved, their proximity adds complexity to the local SSA picture — and raises strategic awareness concerns.' In other words, even if there's no direct interaction, just being close in such a critical orbital region makes the dynamics more complicated and potentially riskier.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's landmark orbital refuelling mission: why 2 US spy satellites hover nearby
China appears on the verge of carrying out a historic satellite-to-satellite refuelling mission in high orbit, a potential advance that has prompted the US to deploy two military surveillance satellites nearby to watch. The Shijian-25 satellite was launched this year to test on-orbit refuelling and mission-extension technologies, and has been drifting towards Shijian-21. The two satellites have nearly synchronised orbits and are primed for rendezvous and docking, according to public tracking data from the US military's website. Shijian-25 is expected to use its robotic arms to latch onto Shijian-21 and replenish its fuel. The latter used up much of its propellant in 2022 while towing a defunct BeiDou navigation satellite into a higher graveyard orbit. 11:05 Space race elevates Asia in new world order Space race elevates Asia in new world order Meanwhile, United States surveillance satellites USA 270 and USA 271 have flanked the two Chinese satellites from the east and west after conducting multiple manoeuvres last week and are positioned for optimal viewing angles, according to a social media post by COMSPOC, a Pennsylvania-based space situational awareness company. Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astronomer and space historian, said the behaviour of the American satellites was highly uncommon. 'As far as we know, it is very unusual for this kind of close-range observation by coordinated US space assets – it hasn't been documented before,' he said on Wednesday. First conceptualised by Nasa in the 1960s, on-orbit refuelling technology is considered critical not only for extending satellite lifespans and reducing operational costs, but also for improving long-term sustainability in space by minimising orbital debris. In 2007, the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully carried out the Orbital Express mission in low Earth orbit, performing the first-ever autonomous docking and fuel transfer between two specially designed test satellites.
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
US Buzzes China's Military Satellites in Unfolding Space Rivalry
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An American military satellite was reportedly "buzzing" its Chinese counterparts as China rapidly advances in a new space race to challenge U.S. leadership in this domain. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Space Force and the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment. Why It Matters The U.S. Space Force was established in 2019 during the first administration of President Donald Trump, who said American superiority in space was "absolutely vital." One of the missions of the new service branch is to protect and defend U.S. interests in space, including satellites. China, which has several ambitious space programs, including a space station and a manned mission to the moon, was spotted using its satellites to conduct "dogfighting" maneuvers, the U.S. Space Force reported in March, practicing orbit operations from one satellite to another. What To Know COMSPOC, which is a commercial provider of space situational awareness software in Pennsylvania, said USA 324, a U.S. Space Force Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellite, was "checking out" two Chinese satellites recently. Over the weekend, USA 324, maneuvered into the 152 °E neighborhood—'checking out' its new neighbors TJS-16 and TJS-17. USA 324 made two close passes— ~17 km to TJS-16 (26 Apr 14:45 UTC) and ~12 km to TJS-17 (29 Apr 13:40 UTC)— before settling down near 152.8 °E. — COMSPOC_OPS (@COMSPOC_OPS) April 29, 2025 The American satellite was tracked making two close passes to China's TJS-16 and TJS-17 satellites on April 26 and 29, with a distance of 10.5 miles and 7.4 miles, respectively. It was not immediately clear why the U.S. Space Force's satellite maneuvered around the targets. USA 324, which was launched in January 2022, and other GSSAP satellites can track and observe objects in geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above the equator, NASA said. The U.S. Space Force said the GSSAP satellites support its space surveillance operations by conducting "Rendezvous and Proximity Operations," in which the satellites maneuver near a space object, enabling characterization for anomaly resolution and enhanced surveillance. An artist's rendering of the U.S. Space Force's Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites. An artist's rendering of the U.S. Space Force's Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites. U.S. Space Force Meanwhile, the TJS-16 and TJS-17, which were launched into space on March 29 and April 10, respectively, are part of the Chinese satellite program Tongxin Jishu Shiyan, meaning "communication technology experiment," according to SpaceNews. While China said both satellites were designed for satellite communication technology verification, SpaceNews said they were viewed by Western analysts as conducting classified missions, which included satellite inspection activities, to support the country's armed forces. What People Are Saying Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "To be clear, I do not object to [U.S. Space Force] making such maneuvers. I object to the U.S. complaining when other countries do the same things we are doing." The U.S. Space Force said on its website: "GSSAP satellites collect space situational awareness data allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made orbiting objects. From a near-geosynchronous orbit, it has a clear, unobstructed and distinct vantage point for viewing Resident Space Objects (RSOs)." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the American and Chinese military satellites will have further maneuvers around each other for close inspection and observation.
