[FPSPACE] China helps track Helios

[Allen Thomson]

[As usual, I'd be curious to know whether "tracking" means telemetry and 
beacon reception, or use of radar. I suspect the former, but it would be 
interesting to verify that.  Also, what does "observation and control" 
imply?]



http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/19/content_401498.htm

 China helps track French satellite's orbit
 By Jiang Zhuqing (China Daily)
 Updated: 2004-12-19 23:44


Satellite observation and control networks in China and France yesterday 
successfully tracked the orbiting of a satellite launched by the French 
Government.

This is the first time that China's satellite observation and control 
systems have provided tracking services for foreign satellites, said an 
official from the Xi'an Satellite Control Centre yesterday in Northwest 
China's Shaanxi Province, according to the Beijing-based China News Service.

According to Xinhua, France launched an Ariane rocket on Saturday, lifting 
into orbit the new-generation of military satellites, Helios II A and six 
micro satellites for different scientific purposes.  However, the Chinese 
official did not identify the concrete satellite for which the Xi'an centre 
provided support.

Three ground observation stations at the centre carried out relays of 
information gathered from three circles of observation and control of the 
satellite, said the official, who was anonymous in the report.

The use of international satellite observation and control networks is an 
effective method for different countries to share data as well to make up 
for scarce observation resources in each country, he said.
In November 2001, China connected its satellite observation system for the 
first time to the French side's systems, the official said.

One observation station of the French side later conducted observation and 
control support to the orbiting of the Shenzhou I and II spacecraft.

Later, China and Sweden successfully realized network connection on 
satellite observation and control; and a long-term co-operation agreement 
was then signed by the two sides on dealing with emerging issues, according 
to the official.

In April of this year, an emergency problem occurred on the "Marine No 1" 
satellite, and the centre in Xi'an conducting a rescue of the satellite 
utilized an observation station in Sweden.

In May 2000, the centre selected one of its observation stations to conduct 
a connection test as a node of French observation system, officials said. 
The success of the test proved that China's space flight observation and 
control system could meet the requirements for observation and control for 
foreign satellites.