我国首次卫星在轨加注试验取得成功

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，我国首次卫星在轨加注试验取得圆满成功。观察人士称，这意味着我国现在能够延长卫星和航天器的在轨寿命。

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.

“天源一号”是我国首个卫星在轨加注系统，于6月25日搭载长征7号运载火箭进入太空。该任务还标志着位于海南省文昌市的中国第四个、也是最新的航天发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.

据该系统的研制单位、位于湖南省长沙市的国防科技大学介绍，“天源一号”进行了微重力条件下流体管理与加注、高精度推进剂测量等9项在轨试验。

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.

“天源一号”获取了3种贮箱加注全过程的完整视频和相关试验数据。国防科技大学称，试验结果表明，“天源一号”满足设计指标要求，而且自主性强、稳定性好。

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.

该院校表示，如果给静止轨道上的卫星补给60公斤燃料，即可延长卫星寿命12个月，创造近亿元的经济价值。

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.

北京一位名叫吴培新的航空航天工业观察者表示，由于技术的复杂性，只有包括美国和前苏联极少数的国家进行过在轨加注测试。

"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."

吴培新说道：“确定卫星寿命的主要因素之一是它携带的燃料和燃料的使用时间。许多卫星因为燃料用尽而被遗弃，尽管它们本身其实功能完好。因此，轨道燃料加注的相关技术是能够满足使卫星、宇宙飞船和空间站工作更长时间的需要的。这项技术也将使我们能够增加太空探测器的操作范围，有助于实现对火星或小行星的载人飞行任务。”