Geostationary
SHIJIAN-17 (SJ-17)
Technology Demo / Proximity Operations · CNSA (Dual-Use Assessed)
Right now
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China's Shijian-17 ('Practice-17') is officially a technology demonstration satellite but attracted significant attention when it began maneuvering near other satellites in GEO. It performed close inspection passes of other spacecraft and appeared to demonstrate robotic arm or proximity operations technology. Analysts assess it as testing counter-satellite inspection or servicing capabilities — skills directly applicable to both satellite servicing and anti-satellite operations.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Geostationaryappears to hang motionless over one spot on the equator
- Altitude
- 22,310–22,320 mi (35,904–35,920 km)
- Inclination
- 6.0°
- One orbit
- 24.0 hoursabout one orbit a day
- NORAD ID
- 41838
- Int’l designator
- 2016-065A
- Launched
- 2016
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 20 Sep 2026.
More geostationary
- SHIJIAN-20 (SJ-20)Technology Demonstration (Large Platform)
- SHIJIAN-21 (SJ-21)Technology Demo / Satellite Servicing / Anti-Satellite Capable
- SHIJIAN-23 (SJ-23)Technology Demonstration
- SHIJIAN-25 (SJ-25)Technology Demonstration
- SHIJIAN-28 (SJ-28)Technology Demonstration
- SHIJIAN-29A (SJ-29A)Technology Demonstration (Formation)