China’s Ingenious Gravitational Slingshots Rescue Satellites After 123 Days in the Wrong Orbit

On March 15th, China launched two satellites using a Long March-2C rocket. The first two stages of the launch went smoothly, but a glitch with the upper stage prevented the satellites from reaching their intended orbit. Engineers spent the next several months attempting to fix the situation, even considering deorbiting the satellites to avoid leaving space debris.

Eventually, the satellites were "rescued" after 123 days through a clever technique known as a gravitational slingshot. This method utilized the gravity of Earth, the Moon, and even the Sun to guide the satellites back to their proper orbits. Not only did this recovery save the mission, but it also showcased advanced technology that could reshape deep-space travel.

The initial launch issue came as a surprise to the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU), the team in charge of the mission. The satellites were discovered much closer to Earth than expected and spinning out of control, which hindered their ability to harness sunlight needed for corrective maneuvers. Fortunately, after significant effort, engineers devised a solution.

Zhang Hao, a researcher at CSU, shared his thoughts on the challenge. He noted the personal and professional stakes involved: "If the satellites were destroyed, it would have been a waste of years of effort and funding. It would have also affected team morale." The rescue efforts split into two teams: one focused on stabilizing the satellites, while another calculated the best route for their recovery.

The satellites, named DRO-A and DRO-B, are part of a constellation aimed at improving navigation for spacecraft. Mao Xinyuan, another researcher, mentioned that these new satellites significantly reduce the time it takes to locate a spacecraft from days to just three hours. This advancement is crucial as China prepares for future missions, including crewed expeditions to the Moon planned for 2030 and the establishment of the International Lunar Research Station.

The successful rescue highlights China’s growing capabilities in space. As the country pushes the boundaries of exploration, technologies like autonomous piloting will play a vital role in these ambitious plans.

For more detailed insights and updates on space missions and technology, you can refer to the original articles on CGTN here and Universe Today here.

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