7 results
  • SJ-17 / Chinasat 6A

    In June 2017, Chinese satellite Shijian 17 (SJ-17) approached an active Chinese communications satellite, Chinasat 6A, for rendezvous and subsequent proximity operations. The two satellites got as close as 1.67 km on July 1, 2017.

  • SJ-21 / SJ-21 AKM

    From early November to late December, 2021, Chinese satellite SJ-21 maintained a close distance with a space object labeled by the U.S. Space Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron as the satellite’s apogee kick motor, SJ-21 AKM, while performing several maneuvers during a westward drift.

  • Luch (Olymp) / Express AM-33

    In the first and second week of February 2015, the Russian Luch (Olymp) satellite maneuvered to perform a close approach with a second Express AM satellite. This time, Luch maneuvered next to Express AM-33, a Russian communications satellite, getting as close as 10 km.

  • MEV-1 / Intelsat 901

    SpaceLogistics, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, developed a Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) to provide life extension services for client satellites. The MEV docks behind a client satellite and takes over maneuvering, using its own thrusters and fuel supply instead of the client’s. MEV-1 was launched into orbit on October 9, 2019, as a […]

  • SJ-17 / Chinasat 5A

    From November 12 to December 28, 2016, Chinese satellite Shijian 17 (SJ-17) approached an active Chinese communications satellite, Chinasat 5A, for rendezvous and subsequent proximity operations. The two satellites got as close as 10 km before SJ-17 initiated a westward drift towards Chinasat 6A.

  • Luch (Olymp) / Athena-Fidus

    From October 24, 2017, to January 11, 2018, Russian satellite Luch (Olymp) approached an active French-Italian military communications satellite, getting as close as 12.5 km. The event was later condemned by the French defense minister.