What is China really doing in space? Mysterious satellite maneuver stuns experts
China's activities in space have recently taken a quiet but significant turn, which might be a sign of a major evolution in how we think about satellite operations. In today's world, technology, sustainability, and national security are intertwined with one another.
Such missions seem to explore the possibilities far above Earth.
Recent movements by China in geostationary orbit are being closely watched by the space community, which has posted the observations on its official X handle.
On January 6, 2025, a Long March 3B rocket launched from Xichang carried Shijian‑25 into geostationary transfer orbit. Built by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), it's officially tasked with 'satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technology verification,' reported Spacenews.com.
Shijian-21 was launched in October 2021 on a Long March 3B rocket. Its mission was to dock with an old, no longer working satellite called Beidou-2 G2 and move it to a safe, out-of-the-way orbit above the regular geostationary satellites. This 'graveyard orbit' helps keep space clear and prevents collisions with active satellites.
Both these Chinese satellites made a close approach in June
Ground‑based tracking by S2A Systems detected Shijian‑21 and ‑25 converging in GEO during mid‑June.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)*
ATS Triumph, Gurgaon
Book Now
Undo
On June 14, they were 'virtually unresolvable from the other,' indicating a close rendezvous, which is likely expected to be a docking test, as reported by Spacenews.com. Observations also noted earlier manoeuvres on June 13 and 14, and an expected rendezvous around June 11 based on their orbital trajectories.
How can this test be useful?
Refuelling and servicing satellites in GEO could drastically extend their service life, reduce space debris, and lower launch demands.
Shijian‑25 was intended to rendezvous with Shijian‑21 because they are in a phased orbit, which means sharing orbital elements but staggered in longitude, which can result in lowering the fuel needed for proximity operations.
Although this mission is described as a civilian technology test, the close movements of the satellites have raised some concerns. According to COMSPOC OPS on social media, two US satellites, called USA 270 and USA 271, are nearby, probably keeping an eye on the Chinese satellites.
COMSPOC explained, 'USA 270 and 271 now flank SJ-21 and SJ-25 from the east and west—potentially enabling favorable sun angles depending on the timing of closest approach.
'
According to COMSPOC, the ongoing activity between China's Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites is unfolding in a particularly busy and sensitive area of geostationary orbit (GEO).
COMSPOC also stated clearly, 'While these U.S. assets aren't directly involved, their proximity adds complexity to the local SSA picture — and raises strategic awareness concerns.' In other words, even if there's no direct interaction, just being close in such a critical orbital region makes the dynamics more complicated and potentially riskier.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
WhatsApp chats obtained through spy app used as evidence in Divorce case: 5 simple ways to detect spy app installed on your phone
Representative Image (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) In a recent ruling in a Divorce case, the Madhya Pradesh High Court held that a wife's private WhatsApp chat can be allowed to be presented as evidence under Section 14 of the Family Court Act, 1984 even if they are obtained without her permission. In this case, the husband accessed his wife's private WhatsApp chat via a special app installed on her phone (likely a spy app) without her knowledge and found out that she was having an extra-marital affair. His lawyers decided to present this as evidence in the court and seek divorce on the grounds of cruelty and adultery. The wife's lawyers challenged this move and did not want her WhatsApp chats to be presented to the court, arguing that this action by the husband violated her right to privacy under Article 21 of Constitution of India and Sections 43, 66 and 72 of the Information Technology Act. The Madhya Pradesh High Court rejected this argument and said that even though the right to privacy has been recognized as a fundamental right, the same is not absolute and is subject to exceptions and limitations. Without going into the right or wrong of the judgement, here are 5 simple ways to detect if a spy app is installed on your smartphone. As there may also be cases where a spy app is installed to stalk or for other wrong purposes. Check for Unusual Behavior on your Smartphone Spy apps often consume significant resources, leading to noticeable changes in your phone's performance. Look for these red flags: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo * Battery Drain: If your battery is depleting faster than usual, even with normal usage, a spy app might be running in the background. Check your battery settings (Settings > Battery on iOS or Android) to see which apps are consuming the most power. * High Data Usage: Spy apps often send data to a remote server, increasing data consumption. Review your data usage in Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage (Android) or Settings > Cellular (iOS). * Overheating: If your phone feels warm even when idle, it could indicate a hidden app working continuously. * Unusual Sounds or Activity: Hearing static or clicking sounds during calls or seeing apps open/close unexpectedly may suggest monitoring. Review Installed Apps Spy apps may disguise themselves as legitimate apps or hide entirely from your app drawer. To check: Android: Go to Settings > Apps > All Apps and look for unfamiliar apps. Names like 'System Service,' 'Device Health,' or generic terms may be suspicious. Check for apps with excessive permissions, such as access to your camera, microphone, or location, via Settings > Apps > Permissions. Enable 'Show system apps' in the app settings to check for hidden system-level apps. On iPhones On iPhones, apps are harder to hide due to Apple's strict ecosystem. Review all apps on your home screen or in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Look for configuration profiles (Settings > General > VPN & Device Management) that might have been installed without your knowledge. If you spot an unfamiliar app, search its name online to verify its legitimacy. Avoid deleting suspicious apps immediately, as this could alert the installer. Check for Unauthorised Access or Accounts Spy apps may require an account to send collected data. Check for unfamiliar accounts or logins: Go to Settings > Accounts (Android) or Settings > Passwords (iOS) to review synced accounts. Look for unknown email accounts, cloud services, or messaging apps logged into your device. Check your email for suspicious login notifications or password reset requests. Inspect Permissions and Settings Spy apps often require extensive permissions to function. Review: App Permissions: On Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager. On iOS, check Settings > Privacy to see which apps have access to your camera, microphone, or location. Accessibility Settings: Spy apps may exploit accessibility features to monitor your screen. Check Settings > Accessibility (Android) or Settings > Accessibility (iOS) for unfamiliar services. Unknown Sources: On Android, ensure 'Install unknown apps' is disabled (Settings > Apps > Special App Access > Install Unknown Apps). Monitor Network Activity Some spy apps communicate with remote servers. Use a network monitoring tool like Wireshark (advanced users) or check your Wi-Fi router's logs for unusual connections from your phone's IP address.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
What is the ‘soft war' version of the Israel-Iran war that's escalating tensions?
As military tensions between Israel and Iran reach new heights, a parallel 'soft war' is raging online, where artificial intelligence-generated disinformation is shaping global perceptions of the conflict on an unprecedented scale. Investigators warn that millions are being exposed to fabricated images and videos, making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction in real-time. This digital onslaught has seen over 100 million views on just the three most viral fake videos, according to BBC Verify . These AI-generated clips and images, widely shared across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram , depict scenes such as Israeli F-35 jets being shot down and missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Forensic analysis has confirmed these are fabrications, often created using advanced AI tools or repurposed from video games and unrelated past events. This digital barrage began after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran. Almost immediately, a surge of AI-generated videos and images flooded social media , purporting to show dramatic battlefield victories, destroyed aircraft, and devastated cities. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo Some of these visuals, such as images of destroyed aircraft and missile strikes on Tel Aviv, have been traced to advanced AI video generators and marked with watermarks from tools like Google's Veo 3. Iranian state media and official Israeli channels have both been caught sharing misleading or outdated visuals, further worsening the information environment. The consequences are profound: not only are public perceptions being manipulated, but both sides of the conflict are leveraging these tactics. Pro-Iranian accounts, such as the rapidly growing 'Daily Iran Military,' which does not appear to have any direct links to Tehran authorities, experienced a remarkable surge in popularity—its follower count on X soared from just over 700,000 on June 13 to 1.4 million by June 19, marking an 85% jump in less than a week. Meanwhile, some pro-Israeli sources have recycled old protest footage, presenting it as fresh evidence of unrest in Iran. Live Events Experts say this is the first major conflict where generative AI is being deployed at such a scale to influence narratives. Emmanuelle Saliba of Get Real calls it 'unprecedented,' while Lisa Kaplan, CEO of Alethea, notes that none of the viral footage showing downed Israeli jets has been authenticated. Instead, these clips exploit the speed and reach of social media to amplify falsehoods. The spread of disinformation is further accelerated by so-called 'engagement farming,' where accounts—many with verified status—post sensational content to attract followers and monetize their reach. Analysts have also traced some of these networks to foreign influence operations, particularly Russian-linked groups seeking to undermine Western military credibility.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Scientists have found a breakthrough in cancer treatment, and it is deep within the ocean
A team of scientists led by the University of Mississippi has discovered a rare sugar in sea cucumbers that may help stop cancer from spreading, without the dangerous side effects of traditional treatments. What does the discovery say? The study published in the journal Glycobiology reveals that a compound called fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, found in the sea cucumber Holothuria floridana, blocks Sulf-2, an enzyme that cancer cells use to grow and metastasize. The compound could become a critical tool in future cancer therapies. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo 'Marine life produces compounds with unique structures that are often rare or not found in terrestrial vertebrates,' said Marwa Farrag, a fourth-year doctoral student and lead author of the study. 'The sugar compounds in sea cucumbers are unique. They aren't commonly seen in other organisms. That's why they're worth studying.' Sulf-2 plays a key role in altering glycans, sugar molecules that coat the surface of all human cells and regulate communication and immune responses. When this enzyme modifies glycans, it helps cancer cells break away and spread. Blocking Sulf-2 may stop tumors from invading healthy tissues. Live Events 'This sugar essentially stops the pruning of the cellular 'forest,'' said Dr. Vitor Pomin, associate professor of pharmacognosy. 'If we can inhibit that enzyme, we are fighting against the spread of cancer.' The research team, which also included scientists from Georgetown University, used lab testing and computer modeling to confirm the sugar's effect. Both methods produced consistent results. Safe for human use Unlike some Sulf-2 inhibitors already known, this sea cucumber sugar does not affect blood clotting, making it safer for use in humans. 'If a molecule interferes with blood coagulation, you risk life-threatening bleeding,' said Dr. Joshua Sharp, associate professor of pharmacology. 'This one doesn't.' Lack of abundance The team now faces a new challenge: sea cucumbers aren't abundant enough to harvest for mass production. 'One of the problems in developing this as a drug would be the low yield,' said Dr. Pomin. 'So, we have to develop a chemical route.' The scientists are currently working to synthesize the compound in the lab so it can be tested in animal models. If successful, this breakthrough could pave the way for cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cancer treatments, originating not from synthetic chemicals or land animals, but from the ocean floor.
