Chinese Scientists Bring Two "Dead" Satellites Back to Life, Even Americans Are Amazed!
Chinese Scientists Bring Two "Dead" Satellites Back to Life, Even Americans Are Amazed!In today's technologically advanced world, space exploration is nothing new. China has achieved a series of milestones in space
Chinese Scientists Bring Two "Dead" Satellites Back to Life, Even Americans Are Amazed!
In today's technologically advanced world, space exploration is nothing new. China has achieved a series of milestones in space. Recently, two satellites that were declared "dead" by the US were brought back to life by Chinese scientists through a series of operations. They entered their designated orbits and resumed functioning. This move has not only astonished the US but also left many countries around the world in disbelief. Why were these two satellites declared dead in the first place, and how did Chinese scientists manage to revive them?
The Death Sentence
Since its establishment, China has entered a stage of rapid development, particularly in the field of space exploration. Previously, this field was dominated by the rivalry between the Soviet Union and the US. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, China's presence in space, starting with its astronauts reaching space, changed the game. Not only have we achieved manned spaceflight, but we have also successfully landed on the far side of the moon and brought back lunar samples. Very few countries in the world can accomplish this feat. This has contributed significantly to China's reputation in space exploration worldwide, attracting assistance from many nations. Naturally, there are also those who harbor less noble intentions.
In March this year, two satellites, DRO-A/B, were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China, carried by a Long March 2C rocket. These two satellites were incredibly significant, marking several "firsts." They drew widespread attention from both Chinese scientists and international media.
However, problems arose during launch. While the first and second stages of the rocket functioned normally, complications emerged in the upper stage. The upper stage is positioned between the rocket and the spacecraft, acting as a "space bus" or "space shuttle" to deliver the spacecraft to its designated orbit. Its role is crucial in allowing normal operation. Unfortunately, the upper stage ignition deviated from the expected time, resulting in the satellites failing to reach their intended lunar orbit.
This fueled the excitement of those eagerly watching for China's failures, particularly the US. Afraid of China's growing dominance in space exploration, they were eager to exploit this opportunity to prove China's shortcomings. The US focused its attention on these two satellites, even more diligently than Chinese scientists.
Later, the US observed China's continuous efforts to rescue the two satellites but noted their lack of success. Eventually, they lost track of the satellites and concluded that their "failure was inevitable."
Failure is a common occurrence; no one can guarantee a life free of mistakes. The US later made a similar misstep, leaving two astronauts stranded in space, a situation they have yet to rectify.
The Rescue Mission
However, Chinese scientists didn't abandon the satellites following their failed launch. They persisted in their efforts, and recently, an article in the Hong Kong South China Morning Post revealed that they had successfully rescued the two satellites and placed them in lunar orbit. How did they achieve this remarkable feat?
Remotely controlling two satellites off course in space is no easy task. These satellites travel at incredible speeds and risk being captured by Earth's gravity. If this happens, they could be pulled towards Earth, and the friction caused by the atmosphere would ignite the satellites and burn them up before reaching the ground. Furthermore, lunar orbiting doesn't require a lot of power, so the satellites carried limited fuel, making the rescue mission all the more challenging.
Despite these obstacles, Chinese scientists managed to save the two satellites. They employed a technique known as "perigee kick." This technique involves igniting the engines when the satellite reaches its perigee (closest point to Earth), adjusting its angle and position to eventually launch it into lunar orbit.
While this may sound simple, it's actually a complex operation. It requires calculating the reach of each launch, the necessary angle, and precise fuel management. In the absence of gravity in space, even a slight push can send an object far away. So, any miscalculation during the launch could cause the satellite to deviate from its intended path, potentially propelling it further into the depths of space.
Despite these challenges, Chinese scientists persevered to accomplish this monumental task. Once again, they left the US speechless, achieving what they deemed impossible. This achievement is not a random event but a testament to the prowess and attention to detail of Chinese scientists, reflecting the strength of China's scientific foundation.
However, the US, being ever cunning, attempted to leverage the situation, urging China for greater transparency.
This year, China has made significant advancements in the field of space exploration, as exemplified by the successful return of the Chang'e-6 lunar mission. During its re-entry, Chang'e-6 reached a speed of 31 Mach and even "skipped" off the atmosphere. This achievement clearly demonstrates the advancement of China's technology.
"Skipping" refers to the maneuver executed by Chang'e-6 during atmospheric re-entry. It utilized the atmosphere's resistance to push itself out of the atmosphere and then re-entered for landing. Moreover, it can precisely control its landing point using its onboard orbital correction system. This technology has left many nations in awe. It stands as undeniable proof of China's rapid technological development.
While our exploration of the universe is minuscule compared to its immensity, it highlights the vast potential for progress for China and humanity as a whole. In the future, we will continue striving for further advancements in space exploration, leading humanity in venturing deeper into the cosmos.
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