China designs spacecraft to extend lifespan of satellites - Xinhua

[LKJ86]

China designs spacecraft to extend lifespan of satellites
Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-13 11:26:48|Editor: Liangyu

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists are designing a new type of spacecraft that can move a de-orbiting satellite back into its intended orbit, thus extending its period of service, according to the China Daily Monday.

Engineers from the China Academy of Space Technology are conducting research and development on the proposed spacecraft, which would help bring satellites that have run short on fuel or experienced technical problems back to their designed trajectories.

The new spacecraft is engineered to connect to a target satellite via robotic arms and then provide attitude control assistance and push the satellite back into its proper orbit.

Once it finishes a life-extension task with a satellite, the service spacecraft will undock with the target and autonomously fly toward the next satellite that requires assistance.

The spacecraft's R&D will take about two years to complete. Once the vehicle enters service, it is expected to bring at least 10 years of extra operational time to multiple satellites, the newspaper cited the academy as saying.

The vehicle will enjoy great commercial potential in the satellite industry, said Hu Di, chief designer of the spacecraft.

Source:http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/13/c_137386630.htm

 

[seven7seven]

Just waiting for paranoid USA to complain that these spacecrafts can be used to target their satellites

 

[Huan]

China designs spacecraft to extend lifespan of satellites
Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-13 11:26:48|Editor: Liangyu

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists are designing a new type of spacecraft that can move a de-orbiting satellite back into its intended orbit, thus extending its period of service, according to the China Daily Monday.

Engineers from the China Academy of Space Technology are conducting research and development on the proposed spacecraft, which would help bring satellites that have run short on fuel or experienced technical problems back to their designed trajectories.

The new spacecraft is engineered to connect to a target satellite via robotic arms and then provide attitude control assistance and push the satellite back into its proper orbit.

Once it finishes a life-extension task with a satellite, the service spacecraft will undock with the target and autonomously fly toward the next satellite that requires assistance.

The spacecraft's R&D will take about two years to complete. Once the vehicle enters service, it is expected to bring at least 10 years of extra operational time to multiple satellites, the newspaper cited the academy as saying.

The vehicle will enjoy great commercial potential in the satellite industry, said Hu Di, chief designer of the spacecraft.

Source:http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/13/c_137386630.htm

I think this may also be militarized as part of China's counter response to the US Space Force 2020 initiative.