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Oct. 24, 2021
Long March-3B carrying Shijian-21 liftoff
A Long March-3B rocket launched the Shijian-21 satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, southwest China, on 24 October 2021, at 01:27 UTC (09:27 local time).
Long March-3B launches Shijian-21
According to official sources, Shijian-21 (实践二十一) was placed in the desired orbit and “will be mainly used to test and verify space debris mitigation technologies”.
No details of the satellite or its capabilities were made available. Coupled with the fact that space debris mitigation technologies are “dual-use,” having both civilian and military applications, the satellite is likely to attract interest and scrutiny outside China.
Image above: China tested its first anti-satellite weapon in 2007 and had been exploring alternative technologies since then. Illustration Image: Shutterstock.
A commercial case for active debris removal and, in the case of geostationary orbit, repairing and refueling satellites or delivering them to graveyard orbits, is being made globally.
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC): http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
Images, Video, Text, Credits: China Media Group(CMG)/China Central Television (CCTV)/China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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