Russian media: Young Chinese scientists amaze the world by saving a failed satellite!
The successful redemption of the launched-failed satellite marks the first time in the world done by China.
On April 22, Russian media published an expert article.
In April 2025, China announced significant achievements in space exploration: it has seized the commanding heights of lunar-solar exploration and successfully built the first-ever tristar constellation in the Earth-Moon space!
Russian experts said: This event is not only a technical victory but also an inspiring story about the challenges, perseverance, and contributions of young scientists.
This story began on March 13, 2024, when China launched DRO-A/B satellites using the Changzheng-2C carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The first and second stages of the carrier rocket flew normally, but the upper stage flew abnormally, causing the satellite to fail to accurately enter the predetermined orbit.
The image of the "injured" satellite showed that the solar wings were bent at nearly 90 degrees, like broken wings, which Chinese scientists called "the eagle's wing break."
Within 167 days, an engineering team consisting of engineers, scientists, and even students completed a series of complex operations, including:
Five orbital corrections: using the remaining fuel resources, the satellite gradually increased to the required height.
Three maneuvers using the gravity of the moon and the sun: this allowed for fuel savings and trajectory adjustments.
Reconstruction of the emergency orbit: scientists developed a new orbit suitable for the current situation.
What is most surprising about this story is this group of young scientists, with an average age of 34-year-old postgraduates and students, who sent 20,000 lines of code.
Why is this technological achievement important?
The redemption of Dro-A/B satellites is not only a success story but also a demonstration of advanced technology, marking the first time in the world.
These achievements have been highly praised by the international community.
The American magazine IEEE Spectrum pointed out, "China demonstrates capabilities in complex cosmic dynamics comparable to those of the United States."
This is a rare recognition from Western experts.
Strategic significance: A new phase in space development.
For future astronauts, creating a three-seater group in the Earth-Moon space is very important.
Satellites on Dro-Orbit can support mining missions on the Moon.
Grouping provides navigation and communication for future lunar bases.
The technologies developed in this mission will form the basis for trips to Mars and further exploration.
Russian experts said: What is most enviable is that China has a group of young, talented scientists.
Russian netizen Alexey b:
It's likely that the first people on the Moon will be Chinese.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830057992642571/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author.