Posted on 11/06/2021 9:30:36 AM PDT by BenLurkin
On Nov. 3 U.S. Space Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron (SPCS) catalogued a new object alongside Shijian-21 with the international designator 2021-094C. The object is noted as a rocket body and more precisely an apogee kick motor (AKM), used in some launches for a satellite to circularize and lower the inclination of its transfer orbit and enter geostationary orbit.
Apogee kick motors usually perform a final maneuver after satellite separation so as to not pose a threat to active satellites through risk of collision. However both Shijian-21 and the SJ-21 AKM are side by side in geostationary orbit.
It is currently unknown whether the object is an AKM, an object possibly related to space debris mitigation tests, or part of potential counterspace operations tests. The object could be used to test rendezvous and proximity operations, refueling experiments or manipulation using a robotic arm or other means.
Given the lack of transparency the activities of Shijian-21 and its companion are likely to be closely tracked and scrutinized. It also follows complex maneuvers carried out in geostationary orbit by other Chinese test satellites in recent years.
China’s TJS-3 (Tongxin Jishu Shiyan-3) satellite launched in 2018 released a payload of unstated purposes. The pair maneuvered in concert and carried operations including spoofing, which involves coordinated maneuvers at certain times in an attempt to confuse rivals’ space tracking networks.
The activities take place in a context of growing tests of counterspace and clandestine activities in geostationary orbit by China, the U.S. and Russia. An Oct. 28 article published by Breaking Defense highlights some of these activities using videos from commercial space situational awareness company COMSPOC.
These include USA 271, a space surveillance satellite, which approached China’s large Shijian-20 satellite and Russia’s Luch/Olymp approaching to within 1.8 kilometers of a U.S. commercial satellite.
(Excerpt) Read more at spacenews.com ...
I’m old enough to remember the big sell up of the Shuttles where NASA PROMISED the ability to put them into space on nothing less than a few days turnaround. Had we been told the truth then and not had to fund trillions of dollars for that mess and now be relegated to paying the Russians to put our ‘nauts’ up on the ISS, we’d have been able to take a cheap launch up there and CHECK IT OUT....
Spaceballs!
Testing ASAT maneuvers so they can disable US military surveillance satellites
The return rate on shuttles was pretty damn impressive, IMO. There was a point in the mid-80s where we were putting up several flights per quarter.
Once Challenger happened, NASA became bureaucrat heavy and risk averse. The results of that mindset are seen now in our dealings with ULA. They’re so risk averse that they just can’t get stuff on a pad under any deadlines.
Contrast that with SpaceX. They’ve proven they could turn around launches in no time, and they’re reusing their cores, something NASA couldn’t agree on. The real test will be when SpaceX has its first loss of human life. I don’t want it to happen, but the law of averages says it will. How they move ahead from that sort of failure will determine if they’re able to overcome the analysis paralysis currently influencing NASA.
“now be relegated to paying the Russians to put our ‘nauts’ up on the ISS”
I thought this was changed over to SpaceX. In fact, a female astronaut from my hometown is waiting for her launch right now, several times delayed.
I had thought that there should be a garbage collection service for space junk.
Or maybe anyone who launches anything has to put down a deposit ($3 million?) that can be used to retrieve the orbiting item.
“She’s gone from suck to blow!”
Quagaars!
“Oh God, aliens... Your explanation for anything slightly peculiar is aliens, isn’t it? You lose your keys - it’s aliens. A picture falls off the wall - it’s aliens. That time we used up a whole bog roll in a day, you thought that was aliens as well!”
https://spacenews.com/one-way-to-help-prevent-wars-in-space-military-hotlines-with-russia-and-china/
“With space now considered a domain of war, hotlines between U.S. and foreign rivals might be worth contemplating, said Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, deputy chief of space operations” ..
X-37B.
They’re playing catch-up.
A term which will inhabit our future: stealthy space mines.
They move into position undetected, and then with one button push all your adversary’s space assets go dead.
I used to run apogee (and Estes) motors in my rockets 🚀
You don’t expect the Chinese to clean up after themselves, do you?
Well. That’s better I guess
They promised days turn around.
It’s probably Fred, Sen.Mark Kellys twin brother.
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