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.

 

《中国日报》周一报道，中国的科学家正在设计一种新型航天器，它可以将脱离轨道的卫星送回预设轨道，因此延长其使用时间。

 

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 trajectories¹.

 

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 autonomously² 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.

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