Importance Score: 72 / 100 š“
Classified Satellites Launch Raises Space Debris Concerns
The April 19th launch of six classified Shiyan-27 satellites into Sun-synchronous orbit atop a Long March 6A rocket has intensified worries about the creation of long-term space debris. The mission’s upper stage was deposited in an 834 by 990 km orbitāan altitude where atmospheric drag is reduced, and natural deorbiting could take over a century. This situation underscores the growing importance of space debris mitigation strategies for Chinese space activities and satellite launches.
Potential Debris Proliferation from Megaconstellations
While the Shiyan-27 mission was self-contained, the employment of rockets like the Long March 6A and Long March 8 series for China’s expansive 10,000-plus satellite megaconstellations could generate a significant rise in such debris. An analysis that tracked the upper stages for most launches of the Guowang and Qianfan/Thousand Sails constellations at similar altitudes supports this concern.
Expert Analysis on Orbital Lifetimes
“There will be some 1,000+ PRC [Peopleās Republic of China] launches over the next several years deploying these constellations,” states Jim Shell, a space domain awareness and orbital debris expert at Novarum Tech. “For both constellations, the rocket upper stages are being left in high altitude orbitsāgenerally with orbital lifetimes greater than 100 years.”
Potential Mitigation Efforts
Optimistically, the Long March 6A is a relatively new vehicle utilizing a modern kerosene-liquid oxygen stage. China may be exploring the option to reignite the upper stage, at the very least lowering the perigee of the stages and shortening their time in orbit. China is actively developing reusable rockets and creating policies aimed at mitigating space debris.
Self-Deorbiting Stage: A Positive Step
In a welcome shift, the Long March 5Bāpreviously a source of concern due to uncontrolled first stage reentriesāemployed a self-deorbiting upper stage for its Guowang megaconstellation launch, eliminating itself as a hazard while also ensuring that the large first stage did not achieve orbit.
Expansion of Chinese Commercial Space Activities
InfinAstro’s Orbital Logistics Development
InfinAstro, a Chinese orbital logistics startup, has secured angel round funding to advance its orbital transfer vehicle series. This development highlights the movement of commercial space companies into new areas within China’s burgeoning space sector.
Commercial Space Sector Growth
Commercial entities began emerging in late 2014, initially focusing on small solid rockets and small satellites. Recent developments encompass the development of large, reusable rockets, ground stations, orbital crewed tourism initiatives, and unique constellation projects, along with numerous participants throughout the supply chain. An official from a state-owned enterprise estimated during a recent conference that there are now over 35 startups solely in the launch sector.
Lightyear Explorer Secures Funding
Meanwhile, Jiangsu-based Lightyear Explorer, a commercial provider of rocket structural products and solutions, recently completed a Pre-A round of strategic financing worth tens of millions of yuan (approximately $3ā13 million).
Upcoming Events: China’s Space Day and Shenzhou-20 Launch
China’s Space Day Celebrations
Events commemorating China’s 10th annual national “Space Day” are scheduled in Shanghai from April 23 to April 26. The Chinese space agency, CNSA, is expected to make announcementsāsuch as revealing international payload partners for the Changāe-8 lunar missionāalong with updates from state-owned and commercial space companies, potentially including debut launch plans for new rockets and the unveiling of new cargo spacecraft.
Lunar and Martian Ambitions
There may also be updates on Chinaās lunar programs, both robotic and crewed, and its Mars exploration goals.
Remembering Dongfanghong-1
Space Day, observed on Thursday, April 24, marks the anniversary of the launch of Chinaās first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, which occurred on that date in 1970.
Shenzhou-20 Mission Launch
Tiangong Space Station Crew Rotation
Also slated for April 24, the crewed launch of the Shenzhou-20 mission will transport a three-person crew to the Tiangong space station. This crew will take over operations of Tiangong from the Shenzhou-19 astronauts, who are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29.