Photo credit: www.gadgets360.com
In an impressive feat of technical skill, China has successfully retrieved two satellites, DRO-A and DRO-B, that had been stranded in an incorrect orbit for 123 days due to a launch mishap. These satellites are part of China’s distant retrograde orbit (DRO) constellation and were saved through a series of intricate gravitational slingshot maneuvers. This significant recovery effort not only safeguarded essential hardware but also showcased China’s advancing proficiency in orbital mechanics, space rescue operations, and navigation technologies in deep space.
Innovative Thinking in Critical Condition
A recent report from CGTN highlights the events of March 15, 2024, when China launched the two satellites aboard a Long March-2C rocket equipped with a Yuanzheng-1S upper stage. Although the initial launch appeared to be triumphant, a malfunction in the upper stage caused the satellites to tumble and veer off course, bringing them dangerously close to Earth. With limited power and compromised systems, traditional recovery methods were deemed ineffective.
Zhang Hao, a researcher at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilisation (CSU), explained the team’s emotional response upon discovering the malfunction in an interview with CGTN Digital: “If the satellites were destroyed, it would have been a significant waste of our years of effort and financial investment in this mission. It would also have dealt a hefty blow to our morale.”
To tackle the challenge, CSU engineers split into two teams; one focused on stabilizing the spinning satellites while Zhang’s team worked on recalibrating their trajectory through gravitational assists. “We meticulously calculated the optimal path to redirect the satellites,” Zhang noted.
A Gravity-Assisted Comeback
The recovery mission utilized the gravitational forces of Earth, the Moon, and even the Sun to strategically guide the satellites into their designated DRO positions. This method is a staple in deep space missions, requiring minimal fuel, making it an effective solution to the fuel constraints faced during the operation. The most critical maneuver took only 20 minutes but necessitated weeks of preparation. “As the countdown continued, my anxiety increased,” Zhang confessed. “I remained fixated on the screen until it registered a ‘normal’ status,” he recounted.
With DRO-A and DRO-B now successfully aligned, they join the previously launched DRO-L, forming a three-satellite constellation. According to CSU researcher Mao Xinyuan, this network will significantly cut down spacecraft positioning times from several days to mere hours and enhance autonomous navigation capabilities between Earth and the Moon.
This mission stands as a testament not only to the retention of valuable satellite technology but also to China’s burgeoning expertise in autonomous spaceflight and advanced orbital engineering over extended distances.
Source
www.gadgets360.com