China appears to have pulled off not only the first satellite-to-satellite refuelling in geosynchronous orbit, but also the “largest single manoeuvre” ever seen in that orbit, according to a former US Space Command official.
The two spacecraft – the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 – have been docked some 36,000km (22,370 miles) above Earth since early July. Their mysterious mission was widely believed to involve the Shijian-25 supplying the Shijian-21 with propellant.
Last month, they executed what…
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