In a large display of technical ease, China has successfully rescued two satellite-drops and drawbi, who were trapped in the wrong orbit for 123 days after the failure of the launch. A portion of China’s remote retrograde orbit (DRO) tower, the satellite was protected using a series of complex gravity sling shot tactics that turned the devastation near the space navigation into a milestone. The recovery mission not only saved critical hardware but also highlighted China’s growing skills in orbit mechanics, space rescue operations, and deep space navigation technologies.
Modern thinking in critical condition
A according to A A recent story Through CGTN, on March 15, 2024, China launched two satellites, which were installed on a long March -2 r rocket with the upper stage of Yuan Zheng -1. Although initially the launch appeared to be successful, the upper phase error messed up satellites and moved towards Earth far beyond planning. With limited power and poor system, traditional recovery was impossible.
Zhang Hao, a researcher at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Use (CSU), described the moment in which the team learned about the problem An interview with CGTN Digital: “If the satellites were destroyed, it would have been a waste of years of effort in which we and the money we had in the mission would be a mental shock for the team.”
CSU engineers divided into two teams – one worked to stabilize the spinning satellites, while the Zhang team focused on calculating a new path using gravity assistas. “We calculated the best way to move the satellite again to the track,” said Zhang, explaining during the interview.
Return with the help of gravity
The mission exploited the earth, the moon and even the gravity of the sun so that they could carefully bow down to the satellites in their target of fear. This technique is usually applied to deep space missions, and requires minimal fuel, which makes it possible to ignore fuel deficiency. The most important strategy lasted for just 20 minutes, but he prepared for weeks. Zhang acknowledged that “with the clock tick, I was under pressure.” He added, “I just stared on the screen until he said ‘normal’.
Now is positioned successfully, Drao-A and Daro B have joined the previously drunkenly to create a three-satellite tower. According to CSU researcher Mao Zenyan, this network will rapidly reduce the spacecraft’s positioning times.
The mission not only saved valuable satellites but also showed China’s growing potential in sovereign spacelight and long distance orbit engineering.
