New Mars Forums

Decimator

Member

Registered: 2011-11-20

Posts: 39

China testing robotic satellite capture systems

http://freebeacon.com/china-testing-new-space-weapons/

China last week conducted a test of a maneuvering satellite that captured another satellite in space during what Pentagon officials say was a significant step forward for Beijing’s space warfare program.

The satellite capture took place last week and involved one of three small satellites fitted with a mechanical arm that were launched July 20 as part of a covert anti-satellite weapons development program, said U.S. officials familiar with reports of the test.

...

Thought this seemed interesting and useful.

GW Johnson

Member

From: McGregor, Texas USA

Registered: 2011-12-04

Posts: 5,796

Website

Re: China testing robotic satellite capture systems

Hi Decimator!

Very interesting news. 

It was fears about us doing exactly that 4 decades ago,  that induced the Russians to fit their Almaz spy space station with a 23 mm cannon. 

GW

---

GW Johnson
McGregor,  Texas

"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew,  especially one dead from a bad management decision"

Excelsior

Member

From: Excelsior, USA

Registered: 2014-02-22

Posts: 120

Re: China testing robotic satellite capture systems

I see someone in the Chinese military finally got around to watching that bootleg copy of You Only Live Twice.

---

The Former Commodore

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,431

Re: China testing robotic satellite capture systems

NAsa did look to creating space tugs and capture systems as a result of shuttle plus the need to service Hubble way back when but that has since long past gone by the wayside.

GW Johnson

Member

From: McGregor, Texas USA

Registered: 2011-12-04

Posts: 5,796

Website

Re: China testing robotic satellite capture systems

Servicing Hubble was easier to accomplish with a maneuvering spacecraft (the shuttle) that could go to the Hubble,  a structure to which to secure it (the "table" in the shuttle bay),  and a manipulator arm by which to capture and position it. 

The mistake was launching those three items for every mission,  when the three critical items could have been launched just once,  and manned by a much smaller rocket-and-capsule at those times it was needed.  We could still do that. 

As to other uses,  like all tools,  it can be used or abused.  Of course,  anything providing such a capability could be used for space warfare.  Existence of a technology does not provide proof if its actual intended use,  but it certainly provides opportunity for any such uses. 

Which is an example of the old adage "pay attention to what they do,  not what they say",  or in shorter form,  "actions speak louder than words". 

GW

---

GW Johnson
McGregor,  Texas

"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew,  especially one dead from a bad management decision"

Mars_B4_Moon

Member

Registered: 2006-03-23

Posts: 9,776

Re: China testing robotic satellite capture systems

China has a satellite with an arm
https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/21/ … star_wars/

Also has been launching multiple sats, remote sensor, nine small satellites to space

optical remote sensing satellites,

NEO 1 spacecraft for a Chinese company named Origin Space will perform experiments aimed at validating technologies, such as a net, that might be used on future missions to capture and remove space junk from Earth orbit. The NEO 1 satellite will also observe small celestial bodies, presumably asteroids, CGWIC said in a press release.

Astronauts arrange new 'home' in space
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Astr … e_999.html

Astronauts on board the core module of China's space station have started to prepare their orbiting residence for operations over the next three months.

As soon as the three crew members-Major General Nie Haisheng, Major General Liu Boming and Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo-floated into the core module, named Tianhe, or Harmony of Heavens, on Thursday afternoon, they started to configure the electrolytic oxygen generators, install water tanks and arrange their sleeping quarters, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Tianzhou 2, the country's second cargo spaceship, carried 6.8 tons of supplies for Tianhe when it docked with it on May 29, including 2 tons of propellants, more than 160 packages of living and experimental materials as well as two extravehicular suits, each weighing around 100 kilograms, for astronauts to perform activities outside the core module.

In the next few days, the crew will continue unpacking gear inside Tianhe and Tianzhou 2 and arranging their living and work quarters. At the same time, the astronauts will conduct internal apparatus tests.

...

n the near future, three manned missions and three robotic cargo flights will be conducted for the station's construction. Two large labs will also be taken into space to link up with the station