China Uses Gravitational Slingshots to Rescue Two Satellites Stuck in Orbit for 123 Days 1v6r44 Technology News

In an extraordinary demonstration of spaceflight ingenuity, China has rescued two malfunctioning satellites stuck in the wrong orbit for 123 days. 3o2j1a

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 29 April 2025 21:35 IST

China Uses Gravitational Slingshots to Rescue Two Satellites Stuck in Orbit for 123 Days

Photo Credit: CSU 61124o

China has successfully rescued two satellites—DRO-A and DRO-B—that were stuck in the wrong orbit

Highlights

China used Earth, Moon, and Sun’s gravity to save two malfunctioning sa
The satellites are now part of a navigation constellation ing lu
The rescue reflects China’s advancement in autonomous and fuel-efficien

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In a major display of technical ingenuity, China has successfully rescued two satellites—DRO-A and DRO-B—that were stuck in the wrong orbit for 123 days following a launch failure. The satellites, part of China's distant retrograde orbit (DRO) constellation, were saved using a series of complex gravitational slingshot manoeuvres that turned a near-disaster into a milestone in space navigation. This recovery mission not only preserved critical hardware but also highlighted China's growing expertise in orbital mechanics, space rescue operations, and deep-space navigation technologies.

Innovative Thinking in critical condition 5o374u

According to a recent story by CGTN, on March 15, 2024, China launched two satellites that were mounted on a Long March-2C rocket with a Yuanzheng-1S upper stage. While the launch initially appeared to be successful, a malfunction in the upper stage made the satellites tumble and head towards Earth much closer than planned. With limited power and damaged systems, conventional recovery was impossible.

Zhang Hao, a researcher at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilisation (CSU), described the moment the team learned of the issue in an interview with CGTN Digital: “If the satellites were destroyed, that would have been a waste of the years of effort that we put in and the money invested in the mission. It would also be a mental blow to the team.”

CSU engineers divided into two teams—one worked to stabilise the spinning satellites, while Zhang's team focused on calculating a new trajectory using gravitational assists. “We calculated the best route to move the satellites back on track,” Zhang explained during the interview.

A Gravity-Assisted Comeback 2s732

The mission exploited the gravitational pulls of deep space missions, and it needs a minimal amount of fuel, which makes it a feasible way to by the fuel shortage. The most critical manoeuvre lasted just 20 minutes but took weeks of preparation. “I got more and more stressed as the clock ticked,” Zhang itted. “I just kept staring at the screen until it said ‘normal, '” he further added.

Now successfully positioned, DRO-A and DRO-B have ed the earlier DRO-L to form a three-satellite constellation. According to CSU researcher Mao Xinyuan, the network will drastically reduce spacecraft positioning times—from days to just a few hours—and autonomous navigation between Earth and the Moon.

This mission not only salvaged valuable satellites but also demonstrated China's growing capability in autonomous spaceflight and long-distance orbital engineering.

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