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China Space

All articles tagged with #china space

technology2 hours ago•5 min saved

China forms national VLEO alliance as sub-300 km sats prove endurance

China has formed a national VLEO Technology Innovation and Industry Development Alliance backed by 34 organizations, while Shiyan-25 (~270 km) and Qiankun-1 (~252 km) demonstrate sustained operations below 300 km and Haishao-1 sits at ~370 km, highlighting ongoing sub-300 km capability. Growing private propulsion efforts—air-breathing plasma engines from Shanhai Xingyao and Fudan University—reflect rising investment as global VLEO activity shifts toward larger programs and systematic development.

via SpaceNews|

#china-space #industry-alliance #propulsion

technology12 days ago•4 min saved

Zhuque-2E breakup floods low-Earth orbit with debris near Starlink and ISS

The upper stage of China's Zhuque-2E rocket apparently broke apart in orbit after reaching mission orbit on June 9, scattering an estimated 100 to 150 pieces of debris in a busy low-Earth-orbit region that includes the International Space Station and SpaceX's Starlink satellites. Debris is in an orbit roughly 208–263 miles high (335–424 km) with a 54.5-degree inclination, and the U.S. Space Force says the fragments are being monitored with no current threat to human spaceflight. Most pieces are expected to reenter within months due to atmospheric drag, though a worst-case scenario at higher altitudes could linger longer; the incident underscores ongoing concerns about China's growing contribution to space junk amid megaconstellation launches.

via Ars Technica|

#china-space #iss #space-debris