China’s Xingyan ‘Star Eye’ network to track satellites and space debris

China is launching a second satellite constellation to monitor objects in orbit to help commercial operators lower collision risks and ease the country’s long reliance on foreign tracking data.

When complete, the Xingyan – or Star Eye – space situational awareness constellation will have 156 satellites up and running to identify the orbits of other satellites and debris, detect unusual movements, and provide collision warnings and maneuver advice every two hours.

Its developer, Xingtu Cekong, an Anhui-based spin-off of leading geospatial data company Zhongke Xingtu, said 12 satellites would be launched by 2027 and the full network in operation after 2028.

The network will deliver 30-minute updates, with global low-orbit coverage and targeted monitoring in higher orbits, Xingtu Cekong chairman and project leader Hu Yu said in Beijing on Thursday.

China launched Kaiyun-1, the first satellite of the Guangshi space situational awareness constellation, in September. That system will be operated by Beijing Kaiyun United, another Zhongke Xingtu spin-off, and comprise 24 satellites.

So far, the only fully operational network is the US military’s Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Programme, which uses five active satellites in geosynchronous orbit to monitor other spacecraft and investigate unusual activity.

  

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