Latest news with #TJS-17
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.
Al Bawaba
28-04-2025
- Science
- Al Bawaba
China launches satellite for data relay and transmission
Published April 28th, 2025 - 09:31 GMT ALBAWABA – China has launched a new satellite dedicated to data relay and transmission from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) in Sichuan, a province in southwestern China. Also Read China successfully launches new data transmission satellite China launched Tianlian II-05 satellite The Tianlian II-05 satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) in Sichuan, a province in southwestern China, for data relay and transmission Tianlian II-05 satellite was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and successfully entered its planned orbit, according to People's Daily Online, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. Notably, the Tianlian II-05 is a second-generation Chinese satellite designed to relay and transmit data while operating in geosynchronous orbit. It is intended to provide data transmission, telemetry, tracking, and control services. China on Sunday successfully sent the country's second-generation geosynchronous orbit data-relay satellite Tianlian II-05 into the planned orbit via a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, marking the 572nd… — China Science (@ChinaScience) April 28, 2025 It is worth noting that China launched another satellite earlier this month. The country secretly launched the TJS-17 satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center—a spaceport located in Zeyuan Town, Sichuan Province. The TJS-17 satellite was reportedly intended to test surrounding communication systems and related technologies. Due to the secrecy surrounding the launch, experts believe the mission may be associated with electronic intelligence gathering, orbital object inspection, and early warning capabilities. Also Read China launches secret satellite into orbit © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
12-04-2025
- Science
- Al Bawaba
China launches secret satellite into orbit
Published April 12th, 2025 - 08:05 GMT ALBAWABA – China launched a secret satellite into orbit two days ago. Long March 3B rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, placing the TJS-17 satellite into geostationary orbit. Also Read Italian company unveils reusable space rockets TJS-17 satellite secretly launched by China 2 days ago According to sources, China secretly launched the TJS-17 satellite two days ago from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), also known as the Xichang Space Center—a spaceport located in Zeyuan Town, China. The satellite was launched at 12:47 p.m. Eastern (1647 UTC) April 10 aboard a Long March 3B rocket and placed into geostationary orbit. Experts believe the satellite may be capable of tracking missiles and inspecting other satellites. The mission is linked to electronic intelligence gathering, orbital object inspection, and early warning systems. (Shutterstock) The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a Chinese space agency under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), stated that the TJS-17 satellite is intended to test surrounding communication systems and related technologies. As China secretly launched the satellite into orbit, experts believe the mission is linked to electronic intelligence gathering, orbital object inspection, and early warning systems. Also Read China successfully launches new data transmission satellite © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
