China's Shijian-31 Executes Molniya-style Sweep of GEO
TL;DR Summary
China’s classified Shijian-31 satellite, launched in June, appears to operate in a novel Molniya-like orbit that loiters over the equator and sweeps the geostationary belt, offering a unique GEO vantage with potential space-domain awareness applications; the exact payload remains unclear, but the mission demonstrates advanced orbital mechanics and signals interest in inspecting GEO assets.
- China’s Shijian-31 satellite is sweeping GEO using a unique orbit SpaceNews
- China's Shijian-31 Surveils GEO Belt From Custom Orbit, Space Brief 24 Jul 2026 KeepTrack
- China increases surveillance of geostationary satellites from an unusual orbit Universe Space Tech
- China creates a revolutionary orbit in space: Shijian-31 monitors the entire geostationary belt Zamin.uz
- China's Shijian-31 Surveys Entire GEO Belt From Custom Orbit, Space Brief 23 Jul 2026 KeepTrack
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