In an extraordinary feat of space engineering, a Chinese satellite performed a groundbreaking maneuver to prevent a potential asteroid disaster.
The asteroid, known as 1994 PC1, is a colossal celestial body comparable in size to San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Astronomers had difficulty accurately tracking the asteroid’s path due to its sheer distance.
However, the intervention of a Chinese Jilin-1 satellite into a near-Earth orbit has turned the tide, demonstrating China’s impressive capabilities in space exploration and raising concerns among Western countries.
Keeping track of PC1 from 1994
The 1994 asteroid PC1 was 2 million kilometers from Earth, which is five times farther than the moon. This large distance made it very difficult for astronomers to determine the exact path.
Despite its large size, the asteroid’s great distance made it difficult to determine whether it would hit Earth. China’s Jilin-1 satellite, usually used for Earth observation, performed a remarkable maneuver to help track it.
The Jilin-1 satellite, which was usually aimed at Earth, made an unusual move to aim its camera into space. It started taking pictures of the 1994 PC1 every second, capturing crucial data.
The mission included 51 firing tasks of 15 seconds each from January 17 to 21, 2022. These images allowed scientists to reduce the positioning error in the asteroid’s orbit to just 33 kilometers, significantly increasing the accuracy of ground-based telescopes by two orders of magnitude. As a result, astronomers were able to confirm that 1994 PC1 would safely pass by Earth, averting any risk of collision.
A Released Revelation and Its Implications
This mission, conducted in January 2022, remained secret until recently released by the Chinese government. The revelation has highlighted the advanced capabilities of Chinese satellites, which have caused unrest in Western countries, especially the United States (US), as reported by South China Morning Mail (S.C.M.P).
There are growing concerns that China’s growing space capabilities could be used for military purposes, potentially upsetting the strategic balance in space.
“Follow-up experiments will be conducted to observe fainter asteroids near Earth using existing space equipment,” said the project team, led by Professor Liu Jing of the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The research was published in Chinese Journal of Deep space exploration in April.
The Jilin-1 constellation, with more than 100 satellites, is the backbone of China’s Earth observation network. These satellites are known for their fast, high-resolution imaging capabilities, which have previously captured intricate details such as a US F-22 fighter jet in flight and a rocket launch.
However, tracking an asteroid from millions of kilometers away required innovative adjustments, including adjusting the exposure parameters of the optical sensors.
Global implications and strategic concerns
Although the European Space Agency and NASA have long been exploring the use of special satellites for asteroid observation, their plans remain largely theoretical.
In contrast, China’s successful experiment shows that existing Earth observation systems can be repurposed to improve early warning capabilities for high-risk asteroids. This experiment also underlines China’s advanced space-ground cooperation capabilities, involving major ground observation stations in Beijing and Xinjiang, as well as a dedicated satellite for astronomical observation.
Looking ahead, the Chinese team plans to incorporate a large ground-penetrating radar network to further refine their tracking and targeting capabilities.
Globally, the United States leads the world in space equipment with more than 8,000 satellites in orbit, dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink satellites used primarily for communications. However, the rapid growth of China’s space observation system, including the Jilin-1 satellites, has alarmed the US military.
At the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies’ Spacepower Security Forum, General B. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, expressed concern about China’s growing fleet of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) satellites.
“Specifically, the PRC has more than 470 ISR satellites feeding a robust ‘sensor-shooter kill web,’” Saltzman said. This new network of sensors and weapons poses a dangerous threat to our troops deployed in the field.
Kelly D. Hammett, director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, echoed these concerns and warned that the US could fall behind in the space race. “We’re building new capabilities, trying new things, but it’s not the force structure we need to compete and deter,” Hammett noted.
He emphasized that many Chinese satellites are focused on space warfare, which poses a strategic challenge.
Despite these geopolitical tensions, the emphasis remains on technological and scientific achievements. China’s ability to repurpose its Earth observation satellites to track asteroids in deep space marks a major milestone.