我國首次衛星在軌加註試驗取得成功
China has successfully carried out its first in-orbit refueling test, which observers say means it can now prolong the life span of its satellites and spacecraft.
近日，我國首次衛星在軌加註試驗取得圓滿成功。觀察人士稱，這意味着我國現在能夠延長衛星和航天器的在軌壽命。Tianyuan 1, the country's first in-orbit refueling system for satellites, was lifted into space by a Long March 7 carrier rocket on June 25. The mission also marked the first use of China's fourth and latest space launch center in Wenchang, Hainan province.
“天源一號”是我國首個衛星在軌加註系統，於6月25日搭載長征7號運載火箭進入太空。該任務還標誌着位於海南省文昌市的中國第四個、也是最新的航天發射中心的第一次使用。Tianyuan 1 has conducted nine in-orbit tests including the control and refilling of liquid in microgravity and accurate measurement of propellant, according to the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha, Hunan province, which developed the system.
據該系統的研製單位、位於湖南省長沙市的國防科技大學介紹，“天源一號”進行了微重力條件下流體管理與加註、高精度推進劑測量等9項在軌試驗。
The spacecraft recorded video and data when it filled three types of propellant tanks. The results of these tests showed Tianyuan 1 has met designers' requirements, the university said, adding that the system features a high level of automation and stability.
“天源一號”獲取了3種貯箱加註全過程的完整視頻和相關試驗數據。國防科技大學稱，試驗結果表明，“天源一號”滿足設計指標要求，而且自主性強、穩定性好。Refueling with 60 kilograms of fuel can prolong a satellite's service by about 12 months, generating nearly 100 million yuan in revenue, the university said.
該院校表示，如果給靜止軌道上的衛星補給60公斤燃料，即可延長衛星壽命12個月，創造近億元的經濟價值。Wu Peixin, an aerospace industry observer in Beijing, said that due to the technological complexity involved, only a handful of nations, including the United States and the former Soviet Union, have performed in-orbit refueling tests.
北京一位名叫吳培新的航空航天工業觀察者表示，由於技術的複雜性，只有包括美國和前蘇聯極少數的國家進行過在軌加註測試。"One of the major factors that determines a satellite's life span is the fuel it carries and when it is used. Many satellites were abandoned because their fuel was burned out even though their equipment could still function well," Wu said. "Therefore, in-orbit refueling technology is needed to enable satellites, spacecraft and space stations to work longer. This technology will also allow us to increase the operational range of space probes, helping to realize manned missions to Mars or asteroids."
吳培新說道：“確定衛星壽命的主要因素之一是它攜帶的燃料和燃料的使用時間。許多衛星因爲燃料用盡而被遺棄，儘管它們本身其實功能完好。因此，軌道燃料加註的相關技術是能夠滿足使衛星、宇宙飛船和空間站工作更長時間的需要的。這項技術也將使我們能夠增加太空探測器的操作範圍，有助於實現對火星或小行星的載人飛行任務。”
