China's Shijian-31 Executes Molniya-style Sweep of GEO
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.